How to Talk to Your Doctor About Your Advance Directive

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with family physician Dr. Eleanor Tanno to talk about one of the most overlooked steps in end-of-life planning: discussing your advance directive with your doctor. Together, they discuss why the form itself is not enough, what to do before the appointment, and how to approach this conversation so your care truly reflects your values. 

You will learn how to prepare, what to bring, and which questions lead to more meaningful medical guidance. Dr. Tanno offers a compassionate doctor’s-eye view of what makes these conversations effective and why having them before a crisis protects both patients and families. This episode is valuable for anyone who wants to avoid confusion and ensure their wishes are understood when it matters most. 

Links / Resources 

Guest: Dr. Eleanor Tanno 

• Website: https://advancedirectivemd.com 
• Course: https://advancedirectivemd.com/purchase 
• Step-by-step guide: https://advancedirectivemd.com/step-by-step-overview-how-to-create-an-advance-directive 

Host: Traci Arieli 

• Website: https://www.comfortingclosure.com 

Resources to Get Started 

• The Conversation Project: https://theconversationproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ConversationStarterGuide.pdf 
• Cedars-Sinai Advance Directive Guide: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/content/dam/cedars-sinai/patients/resources-and-patients/documents/advance-directive-step-by-step-guide-2021.pdf 
• The Death Deck: https://thedeathdeck.com 
• MyDirectives: https://www.mydirectives.com 

 
If you find this conversation helpful, please like, share, and subscribe so more people can learn how to prepare before a crisis. Your support helps normalize these conversations and brings practical, compassionate guidance to more families.