What is the legal obligation to provide medical care referred to as?

The term that describes the legal obligation to provide medical care is known as the "duty to act." This concept is fundamental in emergency medical services and defines the responsibility that a first responder has to respond to emergency situations and deliver the necessary medical care within the scope of their training and capabilities.

This obligation arises from various legal frameworks and is generally understood as a professional requirement. If a certified first responder fails to act when they have a duty to do so—such as failing to provide care at the scene of an accident—they could potentially face legal consequences, including charges of negligence.

In contrast, medical control refers to the oversight provided by a medical director over patient care decisions in the field, while standard of care relates to the level of care that a reasonably competent health care provider would provide in similar circumstances. An advance directive is a legal document outlining a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in situations where they may not be able to communicate those wishes themselves. These concepts are important but do not define the legal obligation to provide care.