ADVANCE DIRECTIVES IN SPAIN. PERSPECTIVES FROM A MEDICAL BIOETHICIST APPROACH

ABSTRACT Spain is one of the most advanced European countries in terms of the legislative and administrative development of ADs. Article 11 of Law 41/2002, concerning Patient Autonomy, regulates ‘advance directives’ and has prompted various Autonomous Regions to develop legislation in this area. Nev...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioethics 2008-07, Vol.22 (6), p.346-354
Main Authors: SIMON‐LORDA, PABLO, TAMAYO‐VELÁZQUEZ, MARIA‐ISABEL, BARRIO‐CANTALEJO, INÉS‐MARÍA
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
advance care planning
Advance Care Planning - ethics
Advance Care Planning - legislation & jurisprudence
Advance Care Planning - trends
advance directive
Advance directives
Advance Directives - ethics
Advance Directives - legislation & jurisprudence
Attitudes
Bioethics
Directives
durable power of attorney
Ethicists - psychology
Female
Health care
healthcare directive
Humans
Law
Legislation
living will
Male
Minorities
Minority groups
Patients
Polls & surveys
Spain
Terminally ill
Trends
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Summary:ABSTRACT Spain is one of the most advanced European countries in terms of the legislative and administrative development of ADs. Article 11 of Law 41/2002, concerning Patient Autonomy, regulates ‘advance directives’ and has prompted various Autonomous Regions to develop legislation in this area. Nevertheless, whilst the variety of legislations in different territories presents advantages, the disparity of criteria also presents problems. Despite significant legislative development, only 23,000 Spanish citizens have filled in an AD. Clearly, AD use is confined to a minority. Several surveys, however, show that the Spanish population views these documents in a positive light. Thus, we must analyse this discrepancy between attitude and practice. A similar situation exists amongst health professionals. Whilst they generally feel that the use of ADs is positive and necessary, they are frequently unwilling to employ them. Bioethical literature and research on ADs has significantly increased in Spain over the last six years. It is likely that this trend will continue in the foreseeable future; but more resources and effort are required if ADs are to become consolidated.
ISSN:0269-9702
1467-8519
DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8519.2008.00644.x