Rejecting Doctors Orders

55-year-old farmer with worsening, chronic back pain refuses surgery and states he will go to the local chiropractor. His doctor does not feel he can contact the chiropractor, but feels that the manipulation could worsen this patient’s injury.

• What are the physician’s options when the patient refuses recommended treatment and chooses an option that the physician knows will cause the patient more harm than good?
• What other information does the physician need to take into consideration in order to decide what additional steps to take moving forward?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)