The Concept of Medical Power of Attorney — A Voice in the Debate

The article addresses the issue of implementing and protecting the will of patients who are unable to give consent to medical procedures. Based on national and foreign legislation, taking into account the demands of the legal and medical communities, the author presents a proposal for the concept of medical power of attorney. An emphasis is put on indicating the most practical solutions for individual elements of the power of attorney, including determining the power of attorney giver, the authorized person, the form of the power of attorney, the method of concluding, and providing the content of the power of attorney to healthcare workers. Currently, there are no legislative solutions in Polish law that regulate the issues presented in the article, therefore further discussion on this matter is necessary.