There are many things that you need to know when you are seeking healthcare services. You need to be an informed patient if you want to get quality care so you can have the best possible outcomes.
We talked about the benefits of improving patient engagement to get better healthcare outcomes. However, there are even more important factors to consider, such as knowing how to use medical power of attorneys.
Your inalienable health rights should be at the forefront of any medical decision in your name by yourself or others. A free medical power of attorney form can help you navigate this difficult topic at every stage. This is especially important if you plan for the possibility of entering a coma.
Getting Medical Treatment When Incapacitated
Your medical POA will decide who is in charge of your healthcare when you aren’t able to make these choices for yourself. This could be because of age-related memory problems or any loss of consciousness. If you cannot give informed consent for a test or treatment, your medical POA is essential for making sure you receive proper care.
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Every single second counts when doctors (and possibly even surgeons) are waiting to begin the treatment that could possibly save your life. Without a power of attorney document at the ready, there will likely be serious delays at best. In many cases, the health team won’t even be able to conduct medical tests without your agent’s explicit approval.
You need a robust POA document that clearly sets out your wishes across a wide range of possibilities. It’s impossible to predict which medical emergencies will take you by surprise over the coming years and decades. While it might feel morbid to consider this, the only alternative is being potentially unprepared if you have a major health crisis.
How Power of Attorney Affects Child Healthcare
Generally speaking, parents have control over their child’s healthcare decisions until they’re an adult, though this varies slightly by state. If a parent is unable to give consent for treatment, their chosen agent will ensure the child gets adequate care. In some states, and only in specific situations, children can decide for themselves.
Your rights as a parent remain intact through a power of attorney, and you can still have the final say in major decisions. This is because an agent will argue your case and likely only take action in ways you would approve of. The child’s right to medical treatment that’s in their best interests will likewise remain.
The goal of a child’s POA is usually to reflect what a parent or guardian wants for their child. In these situations, they should select an agent who will advocate for treatment in accordance with their preferences. However, the child’s own autonomy must also be a factor; at the very least, an agent should ask for their opinion.
Choosing the Right Agent
Balancing your health rights with a medical POA requires you to choose your agent carefully. As they might be making life-or-death decisions on your behalf, make sure they know exactly what you would want. For example, if you end up in a vegetative state, your agent should know if you want to stay on life support.
Similarly, it has to be someone that you trust to fight for your preferences. This is usually a family member, though it may be anyone 18 or over who can give informed consent. However, in some states, your agent cannot be your healthcare provider. This is to prevent conflicts of interest with their Hippocratic Oath.
Your agent has to be someone who will advocate for your medical rights and let you control your future. It may also help to name several agents who will share responsibility for your care. Even someone who loves you could struggle with these decisions; and a second agent can veto ones you would disagree with.
Should Your POA Be Durable or Special?
A ‘durable’ power of attorney is one that takes effect when you’re incapacitated. This may seem like it already goes against your medical autonomy. However, it could be the only way to get the care you want and need. Alternatively, a ‘special’ power of attorney only takes effect in a specific scenario, such as certain treatments.
This might seem like a distinction without a difference, especially since a durable POA is usually dormant until the principal is incapacitated. However, you can still delegate medical decisions to an agent if you so wish. If you’re concerned about your health rights, a special power of attorney affords you more precise control over your care.
Though you might feel a special POA is better for your health rights, this can be a double-edged sword. These documents often lack general provisions for healthcare emergencies beyond their specific situations. Ultimately, you may still need to place your trust in somebody else to manage your healthcare, no matter the power of attorney type you choose.
Conclusion
It’s never easy to give up your medical autonomy, even when there is no other option. However, you can still use an online template to set up a power of attorney that fits your needs. This might be the only way to guarantee your safety in a medical crisis.