Spring 2013
    Law No.: LAW9187
    Sched. No.: 113219330

Advance Directives in Health Care: Innovation and Impediments*
Section 1
X
Bonnie, Richard J.



Administrative Information:
During SIS enrollment, check on SIS for real-time enrollment numbers
Days, Times (Room):R, 1600-1800 (WB116)
Credits:3Type:Seminar
Capacity:14 **This information is current as of 05/23/2013 06:18:36 AM**
Current Enrollment:6 **This information is current as of 05/23/2013 06:18:36 AM**

Course Description:

This seminar will address opportunities and controversies relating to the use of advance directives in health care. It will begin by exploring the moral logic of advance decision-making regarding treatment at the end of life, the moral objections that have been raised, the practical obstacles to their execution and effective use, and initiatives and proposals for overcoming these problems. Attention will then turn to new frontiers in the use of advance directives, featuring an intensive study of a major policy initiative in Virginia to promote the use of advance directives by people with serious mental illness. Research has shown that facilitated execution of these instruments can promote treatment engagement, reduce mental health crises, and reduce the need for coercive interventions if crises do arise. Based on an innovative statutory overhaul of the Health Care Decisions Act in 2009-10, a multi-stakeholder leadership consortium in Virginia is undertaking an unprecedented effort to incorporate use of advance directives into routine care, and to identify and overcome a surprising array of impediments. Finally, the seminar will address the potential uses of advance directives in facilitating advance planning for people with Alzheimer’s Disease. All topics will be presented and discussed as real-world exercises in policy making and policy implementation.

COURSE REQUIREMENT: A substantial research paper

This course is on the approved upper-level writing requirement course list.