Conflicts Surrounding Adolescent Medical Decision-Making
A 14-year-old boy is admitted to the Hematology-Oncology ward with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He presented to the Emergency Department with pallor and dizziness and was found to have a hematocrit of 14.9%. The oncologist would like to start best available chemotherapy immediately. The adolescent patient agrees to this treatment but the legal guardians (aunt and uncle) have made it clear both verbally and in writing that, as Jehovah’s Witnesses, they will refuse all blood products. The patient’s chemotherapy is myeloablative and will cause a further decline in his hematocrit. There is virtually a 100% chance of death with this leukemia if it is not treated and an approximately 75% chance of survival with best available chemotherapy.
- What various sides of the conflicts would you weigh in order to understand the different arguments?
- How would you develop a plan to resolve the problem?
Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)
