The Patient Self-Determination Act

The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), enacted in 1990 in the U.S., ensures that patients have the right to make informed choices about their medical care. It requires healthcare providers to inform patients of their rights to accept or refuse treatment and to create advance directives, such as living wills. These documents outline a patient's preferences for medical treatment if they become unable to communicate. The PSDA promotes patient autonomy and ensures that individual values and wishes are respected in healthcare decisions.