Autonomy of the patient and the physician in resuscitation situations and in terminal care. The value of advance directives by the patient

: Interactions between the autonomy of the patient and that of the physician (or his professional ethics respectively) in difficult situations, i.e. resuscitation or care in terminal phases of disease, are discussed. In this respect the ethical and legal value of a declaration written and signed by the patient at a time of good health (will) is analyzed.