🩺✨ What if you couldn’t speak for yourself when it mattered most? Discover how an Advance Medical Directive can empower your choices and ensure your wishes are honored, even in life’s toughest moments. Don’t leave it to chance—take control today! #AdvanceMedicalDirective #HealthcareChoices #EmpowerYourself

“I don’t want my children to be stressed about me when I am going to die. I don’t want them to feel guilty. I want to be let go when the time comes.”

This is what one of my patients told me when she wanted to make her AMD. This is one of the many reasons one would want to make an AMD. Let’s learn more about it today.

What is an AMD?

An Advance Medical Directive (AMD) is a legal document that you sign in advance to inform the doctor treating you that if you have a terminal illness and become unconscious or unable to make decisions, you do not want any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment.

You must be 21 and above to sign an AMD. It’s essential to note that creating an AMD is entirely voluntary. No one can force you into making this decision—it’s a criminal offense to do so!

Let’s break it down what is meant by terminally ill and extraordinary life-sustaining treatment.

Terminally Ill

You are considered terminally ill if you have an incurable condition caused by injury or disease, where recovery is unlikely. It means that:

• Death is expected to happen soon, even with extraordinary life-sustaining treatment
• Such treatment would only delay death, not prevent it.

The declaration of a patient to be terminally ill is not one taken lightly. Three doctors, including the patient’s hospital doctor, must unanimously certify a patient’s terminal illness. Two of the doctors must be specialists.

Extraordinary Life-Sustaining Treatment

Medical procedures that only extend the dying process for a terminally ill patient when death is near, but it does not include palliative care.

• This directive does not change the rights or responsibilities of medical practitioners or others to provide you with palliative care, including reasonable measures to relieve pain, suffering, or discomfort, as well as providing food and water.

How To Make An AMD

If you’ve decided that an AMD is right for you, follow these simple steps:

1. Obtain an AMD Form

The forms are available from medical clinics, polyclinics and hospitals. You may also ask your doctor for the form if you have decided to make an AMD. Alternatively, you can also download the AMD form online (print both sheets on a single sheet of paper front and back).

2. Consult a Doctor With A Witness

To make your AMD official, you’ll need to consult a doctor who will guide you through the process. They must ensure:

• You are not being coerced into making the AMD.
• You are mentally competent.
• You understand the implications of your decision.

You’ll also need two witnesses to sign the form in your presence. One witness must be your doctor, while the other can be anyone aged 21 or older—perhaps a nurse or another trusted individual.

If your witnesses happen to be relatives, as long as they have no vested interest in your demise, they can still serve as witnesses.

3. Return the Form to the Registrar of AMD

Once you’ve completed and signed your AMD, place it in a sealed envelope and send it by mail or deliver it in person to the Registrar of Advance Medical Directives at:

Ministry of Health, Singapore
College of Medicine Building
16 College Road
Singapore 169854

Your AMD will only be valid once registered with the Registrar of Advance Medical Directives. After registration, you’ll receive an acknowledgment confirming that your directive has been officially recorded.

Conclusion

Creating an Advance Medical Directive is a powerful way to ensure that your wishes are respected during some of life’s most challenging moments. As a family medicine doctor, I encourage everyone over 21 to consider making an AMD—it’s about taking control of your healthcare decisions and ensuring you have a say in how you wish to be treated at the end of life.

Remember, it’s never too early to plan for tomorrow! And if you have any questions or need assistance with the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider. Your peace of mind matters!

Learn More Here: MOH website with useful FAQs on AMDs