You are a psychologist treating a 22-year-old man with a history of depression and generalized anxiety who works in retail. He is despondent because he has learned a young woman, Susan, who works the counter with him, is dating another man. In the past he referred to Susan as his girlfriend. However, when you queried […]
A primary care physician considers if s/he can competently provide treatment to a patient who may have a serious psychiatric disorder and does not wish to go to another doctor. As a primary care physician, you have found your relationship with 24-year-old, Peter, both particularly challenging and particularly rewarding. When Peter first came to you […]
You are the obstetrician of a 27-year-old single woman referred to you late in her first trimester after positive pregnancy test. She admits to a history of heroin addiction, with several unsuccessful attempts “get off it” in community-based programs, as well as to current using. Although buying and using heroin is illegal, she has no […]
Your patient has been suffering from chronic low back pain for many years now. She voices her frustration with the various treatment modalities that her physician has been trying and says her friend had recommended a homeopath. How do you respond? Why? What does this patient need to know in order to make an Informed […]
The ICU attending physician is taking care of a 40-year-old man with AIDS who is intubated with his third bout of pneumocystis pneumonia. His condition is worsening steadily and he has not responded to appropriate antibiotic therapy. The patient’s longtime partner, Richard, has a signed durable power of attorney (DPOA) and states that if the […]
A 3-year-old presents to the emergency department. She was diagnosed with pyelonephritis by her physician yesterday, treated with an intramuscular injection of antibiotic and sent home on an oral antibiotic. She is vomiting today and unable to keep the antibiotic down. As you prepare to admit her, you feel she should have been admitted yesterday. […]
A 72-year-old woman was admitted to the Neurological Intensive Care Unit following a cerebral hemorrhage which left her with severe brain damage and ventilator dependent. One year before this event, the patient and her husband had drawn up “living wills” with an attorney. The patient’s living will be specified that the patient did not want […]
A 16-year-old female presents to a family physician to obtain a referral for family therapy. She is estranged from her mother and stepfather, who see the same physician. For many years, this patient responsibly cared for her four younger siblings while their single mother worked. Since her mother’s marriage, the family has become involved in […]
A 7-year-old boy has had moderately severe asthma since the age of three. He is eligible to be in a clinical research trial of a new asthma medication. What are the legal issues which surround clinical trials that involve children? What are the ethical issues which surround clinical trials that involve children? Do the ethical […]
You are delivering health care to a non-English speaking immigrant. She is a 44-year-old, divorced mother of two teenagers who is diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. The oncologist suggests that she undergo a rigorous treatment process that has probable mortality of 25%, limited efficacy and huge cost burden, which her insurance will not cover. What […]
Camille M. Renella, RN, CME, LNC
Clinical Medical Ethicist/Legal Nurse Consultant
Institute of Medicine Chicago (IOMC) Fellow
Executive Director