April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day. This is a day where adults are encouraged to plan for their future care by providing information about their wishes for their own healthcare. Having these plans in writing helps healthcare providers to care for a patient in the way that the patient prefers.

Why is this day important to you? With chronic conditions such as IBD, healthcare decisions may need to be made quickly. When patients provide that information in advance, healthcare providers can make choices for the patient that are in accordance with the patient's beliefs.

I encourage you to have an advance directive. I also hope you will speak with those closest to you about your wishes for your care, particularly as they relate to issues surrounding your IBD. This can include decisions about medications, surgery or surgical complications, and mental health care.