The Patient Autonomy Act is Taiwan's first medical law that puts patients at the center. It guarantees that individuals, when of sound mind, have the right to be informed, choose, accept or refuse medical treatment, and can sign Advance  Decision (AD) and appoint Health Care Agent (HCA) to ensure that their medical wishes are protected and enforced under five specific clinical conditions (such as terminal illness, irreversible coma, permanent vegetative state, severe or late-stage dementia, and unbearable illness).

The Patient Autonomy Act has two procedures: advance care planning and advance decision, both of which must be conducted at a hospital.