Support Needed to Create Psychiatric Advance Directives

Abstract

Psychiatric advance directives (PADs) inform treatment during periods of compromised decision-making. We report consumer desire and need for support to create PADs among 106 adult outpatients with severe and persistent mental illness. PADs were completed using computer software and flexible peer support. All participants were able to complete PADs. However, nearly all participants needed support using the software, or clarification of PAD information. Types of support needed may vary depending on PAD creation methods. While one-third of participants wanted support from case managers to complete PADs, the appropriate level of clinician support is not clear-cut, and should be at consumers' discretion.