Hoitotahdot

Hoitotahdot are statements or documents in which a person expresses their preferences for medical treatment in situations where they may lose the ability to make decisions. In Finnish healthcare, the term is often used to refer to advance care directives, intended to guide clinicians and relatives about future care.

A hoitotahdon can cover a range of issues, such as preferences regarding resuscitation, life-prolonging treatments, pain relief, hospital or home care, and the involvement of family members. It may also address wishes about organ donation and the preferred place of care. While a hoitotahdot can be written, it can also be stated verbally, though written directives are easier to verify and follow.

In Finland, hoitotahdot are part of the broader framework of patient rights under the patient law. They are designed to be respected and taken into account when a patient cannot communicate their wishes, but they are not automatically binding in every situation. If a directive is unclear or conflicts with professional judgment or current laws, decisions may rely on clinical assessment and ethical guidelines. A hoitotahdot can be revoked or amended at any time by the person who created it.

Accessibility and use are important considerations: hoitotahdot should be available to treating clinicians and documented in the patient’s medical records so that they can be considered in care decisions. Individuals are encouraged to discuss their wishes with trusted family members or a designated proxy and to review the directive periodically. See also hoitotahto and related patient rights topics.