Question

What does it mean to be a proxy decision-maker?

Answer 1

Proxy decision makers are also known as surrogate decision makers. The decisioning process is known as substituted decision or substituted judgement.

The proxy decision makers usually take decision for incompetent patients.Those decisions may be about the personal care, treatment options about the persons health care.To be a proxy decision maker on behalf of the patient the individual need a court order, or a power of attorney provided by the patient agrrying to make the individual as his proxy decision maker.Some times, the patient also has his own right to designate an individual as his proxy decision maker.The selected proxy decision maker should be a trusted person, so that he is able to make critical decisions on behalf of the patient. The proxy decision maker should discuss the treatment options with the physician family members and the those who are involve in patients care.

The following persons can work as a proxy decision maker for the patient. They includes, the patients, parent in case of a child,either mother or father, the clients spouse if married, the clients elder childrens,a best and close friend etc.But they need a court order or a power of attorney issued by the patient.

The surrogate decision makers are capable of making the decision and will for a incompetent patient like mentally ill patient, very sick patient, patient on advanced life support devices etc.He has to work with the patient to follow his interests regarding all treatment options.He need to respect the patient and keep the patients values always high.The proxy decision maker and the patient will work together to achieve the goals of the patient.Most of the time its a challenging activity to work as a proxy decision maker. There may be some situations like advanced directive wills of the patient, do not resuscitation wish by the patient, removing all life saving equipment wish by the patient etc. In such situation the proxy decision maker need to take the decision for the patient as per patients needs.