What is the primary function of advance directives in healthcare?

The primary function of advance directives in healthcare is to outline a person's wishes regarding care in critical situations. Advance directives serve as legal documents that communicate an individual's preferences for medical treatment and interventions when they are unable to express their wishes due to incapacity or a serious health crisis. This allows individuals to maintain control over their healthcare decisions even when they cannot participate in the decision-making process themselves.

By specifying preferences for life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation measures, and other end-of-life care aspects, advance directives ensure that healthcare providers understand and respect a person's values and desires. This not only helps guide medical teams in providing care that aligns with the individual's wishes but also eases the burden on family members during emotionally challenging times, as they have clear instructions to follow.

Other options, while related to healthcare decisions, do not capture the primary purpose of advance directives. For example, real-time medical advice pertains to immediate clinical decision-making rather than pre-determined preferences. Similarly, while a healthcare proxy may be designated to make decisions on behalf of an individual, advance directives do not replace this role; rather, they complement it by providing specific instructions. Lastly, authorizing a personal representative for estate matters falls outside the scope of healthcare directives, focusing instead on legal and