This ethical vignette discusses oral advanced directives. When a patient who is unable to make decisions for him/herself has made verbal advanced directives to a single family member, issues and disputes often arise among other family members about the actions the physician should take. This vignette reviews the limitations and legal aspects surrounding oral advance directives, also reviewing surrogate decision-making and family member conflicts of interest.

CME/CEUs is not available on this product.

David A. Simpson, DO, MS