ABSTRACT
Objective:
characterizing the national and international scientifi c literature about the advanced directives of living will as applied to the terminally ill patient.
Method:
integrative review considering the articles published in Portal Capes, SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE, Journal of Bioethics and Bioethikos, with the descriptors: Advanced directives, Wills regarding life and Advance Directives, Living Will and Terminally Ill, totaling 44 articles submitted to content analysis.
Results:
three categories emerged: Students and professionals facing the advance directives of living will: Perceptions, opinions and practices; Patient’s receptivity to the Advance Directives of Living Will; The family facing the advance directives of living will.
Conclusion:
the relevance of the topic became evident as a guarantee of respect for the dignity and autonomy of the patient, as well as to reduce ethical confl icts faced by families and health professionals facing care at the end of life.
Keywords:
Advance Directives; Terminally Ill; Living Will; Personal Autonomy