advance directive
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advance directive
A written document in which a person specifies in advance which medical treatments they want or refuse, in case they are no longer able to make decisions themselves.
In seiner Patientenverfügung hat er festgelegt, dass er keine künstliche Beatmung wünscht.
In his advance directive, he specified that he does not want artificial ventilation.
This word is composed of 'der Patient' (the patient, with a linking -en) and 'die Verfügung' (directive/order). A 'Verfügung' is an official instruction or order. So the word literally means 'an instruction from the patient'.
Eine Patientenverfügung sollte man an einem sicheren Ort aufbewahren.
An advance directive should be kept in a safe place.
In connection with an advance directive, the verbs 'erstellen' (to create), 'verfassen' (to write), or 'hinterlegen' (to deposit/file) are often used. You can also simply 'haben' (have) a Patientenverfügung.
Es ist ratsam, frühzeitig eine Patientenverfügung zu erstellen.
It is advisable to create an advance directive early on.
'Patientenverfügung' (advance directive) is an official term from the legal and medical fields. It is used in formal contexts, such as with doctors, in hospitals, or during legal consultations.
Der Notar hat uns über die Wichtigkeit einer Patientenverfügung informiert.
The notary informed us about the importance of an advance directive.
will / Testament
'das Testament' and 'die Patientenverfügung' are both important written documents for personal decisions. However, they regulate very different situations. A 'Testament' is a will that applies after death and determines what should happen to money, a house, or other things. A 'Patientenverfügung' is an advance directive that applies while someone is still alive but can no longer make decisions about medical treatments themselves. Learners may confuse the words because both are often discussed in the context of planning ahead and family. For inheritance and possessions, use 'Testament'; for medical wishes, use 'Patientenverfügung'.
Vor der Operation spricht sie mit ihrer Ärztin über ihre Patientenverfügung.
Before the operation, she talks with her doctor about her advance directive.
In seinem Testament hat der Großvater sein Haus den Kindern hinterlassen.
In his will, the grandfather left his house to the children.