The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine on Tuesday said it would introduce a set of guidelines in the first quarter of this year, for doctors to better carry out advance medical directives.

The Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance was gazetted in November last year, allowing patients to refuse life-sustaining treatments under specific medical conditions when they become mentally incapable of making a decision.

Its president Philip Li announced the academy would launch a set of practice guidelines, helping doctors better understand their roles in executing advance directives.

The convenor of the academy's advance directives task force, Doris Tse, said most doctors are unfamiliar with the topic.

"We'll offer some practical tips on how to discuss the advance care planning with patients and family members and also advise on how to assess the mental capacity," she said.

"Then, we will have some instructions on how to sign or complete advance directives and, of course, all these have to be supplemented with case scenarios."

Tse added the guidelines help establish a consensus before patients become unable to make a decision, and it can avoid possible disputes.

She said the academy would hold three seminars before the legislation officially takes effect in May next year.

The academy said people can also save an electronic version of their advance directive on the eHealth system, so doctors at both public and private hospitals can access the documents.