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Choosing A Substitute Decision-Maker (SDM)
Choosing A Substitute Decision-Maker (SDM)
Topic Overview
What is a substitute decision-maker?
A substitute decision-maker (SDM) is a person you choose in advance to make health care decisions for you in the event
that you can't make them for yourself. An SDM can help make health care decisions on your behalf at the end of life or
anytime you can't make these decisions for yourself, such as if you are severely injured. An SDM also may be called a
health care representative, agent, or proxy.
In general, an SDM can agree to or refuse treatment and can withdraw treatment on your behalf. Your SDM can use the
information in your advance care plan (also called an advance directive, personal directive, or living will), statements made
by you in the past, and what he or she knows about you personally to make these decisions. For example, your SDM can
consent to surgery, refuse to have you placed on life-support machines, or request that you be taken off life support.
Related Information
Care at the End of Life
Current as of: December 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Adam
Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Shelly R. Garone MD, FACP - Palliative
Medicine & Robin L. Fainsinger MBChB, LMCC, CCFP - Palliative Medicine & Jean S. Kutner MD, MSPH - Geriatric
Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine
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