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Transportable physician orders for patient preference (TPOPP)

ISSUE SUMMARY

Kansas physicians frequently encounter difficult dilemmas when a person nearing or at the end of life has not communicated to his/her loved ones or physicians the level of medical care he/she wishes to receive at the end of life. All too often, the result is the patient receives extensive medical treatment that may prolong the quantity of life but arguably diminishes the quality of life. Legal documents, such as advanced directives, provide the patient with the legal means to communicate their wishes or desires. An alternative approach that clearly incorporates the role of the physician is the Transportable Physician Orders for Patient Preference (TPOPP).

TPOPP is based on the belief that patients have the right to make their own health care decisions, especially as they approach the end of life. TPOPP recognizes and respects the value of approaching the end of life with a "plan" that has been discussed in private with a patient facing a chronic advanced or terminal illness, loved ones and a trusted physician. TPOPP reduces these decisions to a specific set of physician orders that can be communicated to appropriate individuals or organizations. Greater awareness of such end of life planning can reduce the emotional toll that occurs when medical solutions are no longer available or viable.

ADOPTED POLICY

Consistent with the ethical principle of respect for patient autonomy and the legal principle of patient self-determination, individuals have the right to make their own healthcare decisions. Transportable Physician Orders for Patient Preferences (TPOPP) can serve as a valuable complement to advance directives, and help physicians and other healthcare professionals know and honor the treatment wishes of their patients. KMS encourages physicians to discuss not only the benefits of advance directives with their patients, but also the benefits of TPOPP.

Adopted by KMS House of Delegates on May 4, 2013.

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