Advance Care Directives

All competent adults have a right to decide what medical treatment they would refuse if they lose the capacity to make decisions in the future. This Ausmed Course looks at the increasing trend to have future refusals of treatment recorded in legally binding documents known as advance care directives (ACDs).

This Ausmed Course is relevant to all registered nurses and other health professionals working in all contexts of healthcare.

Every adult of sound mind has the right to refuse treatment regardless of the fact that such refusal might lead to their death. This right is embedded in common law and legislation.

All health practitioners should understand what constitutes a valid refusal of treatment through these written instructions to meet their common law and professional obligations when providing care for their clients.

The purpose of this Ausmed Course is to enable learners to gain a better understanding of the legal framework that supports a competent adult to make decisions about advanced care directives and refusal of treatment.