HIT 220 Demetria Harding Brandi Clopton-Harris 03/09/24 HIT 220, Week 2- Course Project Topic Submission Hello! I am so excited about this course and the project. The topic I have chosen to cover is... Role of advanced directives in treatment and end-of-life healthcare decisions. Audience: clinical staff (physicians and nurses) Advanced directives play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals maintain control over their healthcare decisions, particularly in situations where they may be unable to communicate their preferences due to incapacitation. These legal documents outline a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care, providing guidance to healthcare providers and family members. Relieving Burden on Family: Advanced directives can relieve the burden on family members by providing clear guidance on the individual’s healthcare preferences. This can help prevent conflicts among family members and reduce the stress of making difficult decisions during a crisis. Supporting Healthcare Providers: Advanced directives provide valuable information to healthcare providers, enabling them to deliver care that aligns with the patient’s wishes. This helps ensure that treatments are consistent with the individual’s values and goals, even if they are unable to communicate directly. Overall, advanced directives play a vital role in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare and ensuring that their preferences are respected, even in challenging circumstances. It's essential for individuals to create these documents and regularly review and update them as needed to reflect any changes in their healthcare preferences or circumstances.