RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Advance directives in psychiatric care: a narrative approach
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 92
OP 97
DO 10.1136/jme.27.2.92
VO 27
IS 2
A1 Widdershoven, Guy
A1 Berghmans, Ron
YR 2001
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/27/2/92.abstract
AB Advance directives for psychiatric care are the subject of debate in a number of Western societies. By using psychiatric advance directives (or so-called “Ulysses contracts”), it would be possible for mentally ill persons who are competent and with their disease in remission, and who want timely intervention in case of future mental crisis, to give prior authorisation to treatment at a later time when they are incompetent, have become non-compliant, and are refusing care. Thus the devastating consequences of recurrent psychosis could be minimised. Ulysses contracts raise a number of ethical questions. In this article the central issues of concern and debate are discussed from a narrative perspective. Ulysses contracts are viewed as elements of an ongoing narrative in which patient and doctor try to make sense of and get a hold on the recurrent crises inherent in the patient's psychiatric condition.