What is the name of the written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should they become unable to make decisions?

The term that refers to written documentation specifying medical treatment for a competent patient in the event they become unable to make decisions is an advance directive. This legal document allows an individual to outline their preferences for medical treatment and care in situations where they cannot communicate their wishes, such as during a serious illness or incapacitation.

Advance directives serve to ensure that a person's values and choices regarding their healthcare are respected, even when they are not able to express them directly. This can include specific instructions about life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation efforts, and palliative care. It's an essential tool for both patients and healthcare providers, as it clarifies the patient's intentions and helps guide medical decisions in accordance with those wishes.

In contrast, while other options like a health care proxy or power of attorney may support similar intentions, they typically designate someone to make decisions on behalf of the patient rather than explicitly detailing specific treatment preferences. A living will is often used interchangeably with advance directives, but it specifically outlines the types of medical treatment a person wishes to receive or avoid, rather than broadly indicating a person's wishes for treatment in all capacities. Hence, advance directive is the most comprehensive term that encompasses the overall goals of specifying medical treatment preferences for those who can no longer express