Work

Legislative recognition and implementation challenges of living wills in China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The 2022 revision of China’s Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Medical Regulations marks the nation’s inaugural legislative recognition of “living wills” as legally binding instruments. However, the implementation of living wills in clinical practice encounters significant ethical challenges, influenced by traditional cultural norms, prevailing medical ethics standards, policy frameworks, healthcare resource allocation, and systemic constraints. To advance this end-of-life care paradigm, we propose a threefold strategy: (1) enhancing public education on death literacy and autonomy, (2) improving the legal procedures for establishing and implementing living wills, and (3) establishing a comprehensive national hospice care safeguard system. These measures are critical to ensuring the protection of terminally ill patients’ fundamental rights and dignity.

Source: Philosophy Ethics and Humanities in Medicine

DOI: 10.1186/s13010-025-00208-9

Author: Long Chen

Institution: Zhejiang University

Language: English

Topic: Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,790