Final answer:
A patient who is unable to make medical decisions for themselves due to legal incapacity will require a health care proxy or another legally authorized decision-maker. This arrangement is often outlined in a living will or advance directive to ensure that the patient's wishes regarding medical treatment are followed.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient is not legally able to act for themselves in establishing a contract with the doctor, the patient would need an appointed decision-maker or a health care proxy. This is someone legally authorized to make healthcare decisions on the patient's behalf, potentially detailed within a living will.
A health care proxy is a legal document that designates a specific person to make medical decisions for the patient if they are unable to communicate their decisions. This is particularly important in situations where medical consent is necessary and the patient is incapacitated. In the absence of such a proxy, parents commonly provide consent for their minor children since the children are not competent to provide consent for themselves. Having these documents in place is part of advance care planning, which allows individuals to outline their wishes concerning medical treatments and interventions should they become unable to express their preferences in the future.
Living wills and advance directives may include instructions like Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, which specify that medical personnel should not perform life-saving measures if the patient's heart stops or they stop breathing. These documents reflect people's values, influenced by factors such as religion, culture, and upbringing.