Subjective Opinion’s Influence on Medical Decision Making

A one-year-old boy had an unknown genetic syndrome, with no psychomotor development since birth. He had problems swallowing, was dependent on constant oxygen supplement and had frequent lung infections, which required respiratory treatment. The physicians regarded treatment as only prolonging the child’s suffering and the parents wanted the active treatment to be continued.

• Some nurses had told the parents ‘‘never to give up their child.’’ Did that advice burden the parents? How? Benefit the parents? How?
• Were there other ways to convey that advice to the parents? How?
• Should you advise parents

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

J Med Ethics 2005;31:73–77. doi: 10.1136/jme.2003.003954