Advance directives and the patient self-determination act.

Advance directives cover a wide variety of situations concerning the advance planning for medical care. Advance directives have existed for approximately 20 years; however, their forms and uses are presently expanding and evolving. This article presents advance directives, their various forms and uses, and reviews the current data on how well they achieve their desired goal. The Patient Self Determination Act, which was designed to promote the acknowledgment and completion of advance directives, is also discussed, as well as practical suggestions for the current and future uses for advance directives.