ABSTRACT

Over the past decade in Korea, discussions on advance directives(ADs) have increased. This paper was to systematically review theconcept and current state of ADs in South Korea, Japan, the USA,and the Netherlands. ADs are one method proposed to facilitate theprocess of communication among patients, families, and health careproviders regarding the plan of care of a patient who has lost theability to communicate. ADs might be useful in the Korean settingwhen an individual wishes to either 1) not provide a lot of leewayto surrogates and/or caregivers, and/or 2) ensure his or herdirectives in the cases of terminal illness, brain death, paintreatment, and information disclosure. Health care provider rolesare vague in terms of responsibility for ADs discussion andeducation in Korea. Further exploration of the attitudes, knowledge,and practices concerning ADs of nurses and primary health careproviders is recommended to provide focal points for futureresearch in order to facilitate peace of mind at end-of-life forpatients and families.