National Center for Ethics in Health Care
Health Care Ethics Resources for Veterans, Patients, and Families
Honoring Veteran's Healthcare PreferencesHealthcare Planning Animated Stories
All Veterans, whether healthy or ill, young or old, receiving healthcare in a clinic, hospital, or at home, deserve to have their wishes heard and healthcare preferences honored. This series of animated stories highlights different communication approaches and tools to support patients at any age or stage of health in sharing, documenting, and honoring their healthcare goals and preferences. Advance DirectivesForm: VA Advance Directive (Spanish version) - The advance directive form is an official document where you can write down your preferences for your health care. Educational Handout: What You Should Know About Advance Directives Worksheet: Mental Health Care Preferences (Attach to your VA Advance Directive Form. Initial and date each page) Website: Advance Care Planning via Group Visits Podcast: What's An Advance Directive, and Why Should I Complete One? (6:35) Podcast: Choosing A Health Care Agent (5:36) Podcast: I’ve Been Chosen as A Health Care Agent – Now What? (4:50) For Patients with a Serious IllinessVideo: Setting Healthcare Goals Video: CPR Video: Feeding Tubes Video: Dialysis Video: Mechanical Ventilation If you have a serious illness, set up a time to have a goals of care conversation with your VA health care team to discuss what matters most to you. Handout: Setting Health Care Goals explains the nature and purpose of goals of care conversations, helping prepare patients, families and health care surrogates for a discussion about the patient’s goals and life-sustaining treatment decisions. YouTube and podcast versions are also available. Podcast: Setting Health Care Goals When You Have A Serious Illness (5:56) Podcast: Would CPR Be Right for Me? (4:51) Podcast: Mechanical Ventilation — An Option for Breathing Problems (6:05) Podcast: Choosing A Health Care Agent (5:36) Other resources for all Veterans on advance care planning and planning for future health care. Informed ConsentPodcast: Informed Consent Empowers Veterans (4:47) Patient Information Guide: Safe and Responsible Use of Opioids for Chronic Pain |