Final answer:
Living will and health care proxy documents impact medical assistants by requiring them to respect and enforce patients' medical wishes, documented to ensure care corresponds with the individuals' values and quality-of-life decisions, even when the patient cannot communicate them.
Step-by-step explanation:
Living will and health care proxy/medical durable power of attorney documents greatly impact the medical assistant's practice. As individuals aim to have their medical wishes known in advance, these legal documents dictate specific interventions a person desires when they are unable to express their wishes, such as in the terminal stages of an illness. For instance, a living will may include directives like a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order or appoint someone to act as a health care proxy to make medical decisions on their behalf. From a medical assistant's perspective understanding the contents and implications of these documents is critical.
They must ensure that the patients' wishes are respected which may also include working within the scope of hospice services. This approach allows individuals to receive pain management and care in a humane and comfortable environment typically outside of a hospital setting, reflecting their quality-of-life decisions. In addition to respecting individual wishes medical assistants must navigate familial expectations, religious beliefs, and the cultural background of patients. The proactive management of living wills, medical power of attorney and advance directives is becoming increasingly important as aging populations make proactive decisions regarding their care and end-of-life choices.