Advance directives: Legal remedies and psychosocial interventions

Although the legal basis to refuse life supports is firmly embedded in the laws of all 50 states, there is evidence that a gap exists between patients ' preferences and physicians' actions. Patients and their families have inc reasingly begun to turn to the courts for redress, requesting damages when a physician has ignored their request to forgo life-sustaining treatment. t his article explores the reasons why patients' end-of-life medical choices are often ignored by the medical profession and the results of recent attem pts to remedy these situations through the courts. Implications for practic e are discussed, including practical suggestions for increasing the likelih ood that a patient's wishes will be respected by medical providers.