Extra attention to the conversation with the doctor after drawing up a living will

After drafting a living will, it's important to discuss the wishes expressed in it with the doctor. Therefore, the Patient Federation, together with the Royal Dutch Association of Civil-Law Notaries (KNB), has developed two documents: one contains information for the client, the other for the general practitioner.

Clients can include medical wishes in a living will. If clients don't discuss these wishes with their doctor, they won't be aware of them. To emphasize the importance of discussing these wishes with their doctor, the Dutch Patient Federation and the Royal Dutch Society for the Protection of Personal Inheritance (KNB) have created a document (PDF) that notaries can provide to clients with medical wishes in their living will. The explanatory memorandum also advises clients to inform their representative and other loved ones of their advance directive.

Explanation of living will
An explanation (PDF) for doctors is also available, explaining that the patient has a notarial living will and what this means. For example, the patient may request a ban on treatment if they are no longer able to express their wishes due to an incurable illness. A living will may also include a request for euthanasia. A brief explanation of the notary's role is also provided.

Resolving misunderstandings
With all the available information, both organizations also hope to clear up other misconceptions surrounding living wills and medical wishes. For example, if someone wants to change their medical wishes, they first have to go back to the notary and therefore face additional costs. This is not the case. Desired changes can simply be discussed with the doctor, who will then record this in the medical file.