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Who Would You Choose? Appointing an Agent with a Medical Power of Attorney
Author(s) -
Brown M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
australian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 0726-4240
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-6612.1997.tb01038.x
Subject(s) - power of attorney , directive , confusion , power (physics) , law , public relations , psychology , political science , business , computer science , health care , physics , quantum mechanics , psychoanalysis , programming language
Appointing an agent with a medical power of attorney in the event of future incompetency is a relatively new concept in Australia. This qualitative study explores some of the associated issues raised in focus groups and interviews with 62 well elderly people in South Australia. Findings reveal some confusion about current rights and responsibilities and concerns about selecting the most suitable person, the burden this would impose and the degree of trust implicit in such an arrangement. The majority favoured a written form of advance directive, with or without an agent. Clarification and further discussion are required to ensure that the wishes of individuals are respected when dying.