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Verbindlichkeit der Patientenverfügung im Urteil ihrer Verfasser

Bindingness of advance directives in the view of their authors

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An Erratum to this article was published on 27 May 2009

Zusammenfassung

Die Verbindlichkeit von Patientenverfügungen (PV) wird kontrovers diskutiert. Dabei ist nicht bekannt, wie verbindlich PV von denen gewollt sind, die sie verfassen. Mit Hilfe eines anonymen Fragebogens wurden Verfasser von PV in bayerischen Palliativeinrichtungen und Beratungsstellen hierzu befragt. Von den 402 Befragten gaben 69,1% an, dass ihre PV auch für Bevollmächtigte und Betreuer strikt verbindlich sein soll. Demgegenüber räumten 23,9% ihrem Stellvertreter ein, von der PV abzuweichen. Die lebensbedrohlich Erkrankten unter den Befragten legten nicht weniger, sondern signifikant mehr Wert auf hohe Verbindlichkeit. Für den Fall, dass die PV nicht anwendbar sein sollte, wünschen deren Verfasser eine Entscheidung durch ihren Vertreter. Abgelehnt wird die richterliche Entscheidung bei Dissens.

Abstract

Definition of the problem

The binding force of advance directives (AD's) is controversially debated. It is, however, unknown how binding AD's are intended by those who issue them.

Method

We surveyed the authors of AD's in Bavarian palliative care institutions and advance care planning counseling centers, using an anonymous questionnaire study.

Results

Among the 402 survey participants, 69.1% wanted their AD to be strictly binding, even for their surrogate decisionmakers. On the other hand, 23.9% would allow their surrogate decision-maker to deviate from the AD. Those participants that suffered from life-threatening diseases did not place less, but significantly more emphasis on the binding force of their AD. For the case that their AD should be inapplicable, the participants wanted the decision to be made by their surrogates. A court decision in the case of disagreement is rejected.

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Correspondence to Ralf J. Jox MA (London).

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An erratum to this article can be found online at http://dx.doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00481-009-0002-2.

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00481-009-0002-2

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Jox, R.J., Krebs, M., Bickhardt, J. et al. Verbindlichkeit der Patientenverfügung im Urteil ihrer Verfasser. Ethik Med 21, 21–31 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00481-009-0600-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00481-009-0600-z

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