Psychiatric Advance Directive
Also written as: PAD — Psychiatric Advance Directive
A legal document in which a patient specifies preferred psychiatric treatments and designates a surrogate decision-maker in the event they lose decision-making capacity.
Full Definition
A Psychiatric Advance Directive (PAD) is a legally recognized instrument that allows individuals with mental illness to document their treatment preferences, medication choices, and nominated healthcare proxy before a psychiatric crisis occurs. Unlike a general advance directive, a PAD addresses psychiatric-specific scenarios such as hospitalisation, forced medication, and electroconvulsive therapy. Editors must distinguish PADs from general healthcare proxies and ensure accurate capitalisation of the full form. PADs vary in legal enforceability by state, a detail frequently relevant in clinical documentation and legal correspondence.
Usage
Usage note: Always spell out 'Psychiatric Advance Directive' on first use; 'PAD' is acceptable thereafter. Do not conflate with a standard Advance Directive, which does not address psychiatric-specific scenarios.
In Context
- "The admitting clinician documented that the patient's Psychiatric Advance Directive requested avoidance of haloperidol in all future inpatient episodes." — Admission assessment note
- "The care team reviewed the PAD on file before initiating involuntary medication proceedings." — Treatment team meeting minutes