Br J Gen Pract. 1993 Apr;43(369):169-71.
When patients are no longer able to participate effectively in decision making, an advance directive or living will may assist clinicians faced with choices about whether or not to prolong their lives. But living wills are an imperfect substitute for active patient participation. The opinion of an informed proxy could help to interpret what a patient's wishes might have been in the light of his or her present condition and its possible treatment. Practical suggestions are made about informal arrangements whereby general practitioners might help to make such an opinion available when needed.
当患者不再能够有效地参与决策时，预先指示或生前遗嘱可能会帮助临床医生在决定是否延长患者生命时做出选择。但生前遗嘱并不能完美替代患者的积极参与。知情代理人的意见有助于根据患者目前的状况及其可能的治疗方法来解读患者原本的意愿。文中就一些非正式安排提出了切实可行的建议，以便全科医生在需要时能够提供这样的意见。
