
This section discusses the ethics of making medical decisions for patients incapable of such decisions, when there is disagreement about treatment. For instance, should a physician override the decision made by a substitute decision-maker not to administer pain-reducing drugs to the patient who is clearly in pain? Should a 10 year old be allowed to override her parents’ decision for corrective burn surgery because she knows it’s going to hurt?
CONTENTS
1.4 Substitute Decision-Making
1.5 Medical Decision-Making and Vulnerable Populations
- 1.5.1 Medical Decision-Making and Children
- 1.5.2 Medical Decision-Making and Mature Minors
- 1.5.3 Coercion in Psychiatric Rehabilitation
1.7 What are the physician’s obligations when a patient is “discharged against medical advice”?