Clinical Ethics and Law (CEL) Flashcards
Outline the first principle of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA)?
A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that he/she lacks capacity
Outline the second principle of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA)?
A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision unless all practicable steps to help him/her to do so have been taken without success
Outline the third principle of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA)?
A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because he/she makes an unwise decision
Outline the fourth principle of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA)?
Any act done, or decision made, under the Mental Capacity Act for, or on behalf of, a person who lacks capacity must be done, or made, in his/her best interests
Outline the fith principle of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA)?
Before any act is done, or any decision is made, regard must be had to whether the purpose for which it is needed can be as effectively achieved in a way that is less restrictive of the person’s rights and freedom of action
What questions need to be asked of the patient as part of the functional test of decision making when assessing capacity? (4)
Is the patient able to;
- understand all of the relevant information
- retain that information
- use and/or weigh-up that information as part of the decision making process
- communicate a decision
Should a patient who is refusing a treatment be treated if they are deemed to have capacity?
No; refusals of treatment must be respected, unless in a situation where the Mental Health Act (MHA) applies
Should a patient who is requesting a treatment be treated if they are deemed to have capacity?
No; doctors are not obliged to provide treatment requested by the patient if they believe that treatment to be harmful or futile
Should a patient who is consenting to a treatment be treated if they are deemed to have capacity?
Yes; treatment may proceed lawfully provided the patient is giving voluntary and informed consent
If a patient is deemed to lack the capacity to make a decision in the first instance, what should be done before considering whether to treat or not to treat?
Steps to maximise their capacity; for example use of word boards in patients that cannot communicate
Which two legal frameworks can be used to determine whether or not to treat a patient who lacks capacity? (2)
- Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT); a decision made in advance to refuse a specific type of treatment in the future
- Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA); a person nominated to make a decision regarding treatment that is in line with the patient’s own best interests
Which additional conditions are required to be met by advanced decision (AD) documentation in order for the refusal life-saving or life-sustaining treatment to be legally-binding? (4)
- Must be written
- Must be signed
- Must be witnessed
- Must include a clear sentence stating that the decision is to be upheld even if the patient’s life is at risk
How should a clinician decide on whether or not to treat a patient who lacks capacity if they do not have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or any Advanced Decisions to Refuse Treatment (ADRT)?
A decision on whether or not to treat should be made in line with what that clinician believes is in the best interest of that patient
Who can clinicians consult with in order to ascertain what is in the best interests of a patient who lacks capacity to consent/refuse a treatment? (2)
- People who know the patient well
- Independent mental capacity advocates (IMCAs)
Outline the aspects that need to be considered prior to making a best interest decision? (7)
- Likelihood of a regain of capacity
- Effort made to encourage the patient’s participation in the decision
- Past and present wishes and feelings
- Beliefs and values
- Emotional bonds, family obligations
- Consultation with anyone named by the person to
Outline the components of legally valid consent? (3)
- Competent; patient has mental capacity to decide to agree to the act
- Informed; patient provided with information as to the nature and purpose of the act
- Voluntary; not coerced, obtained under duress or undue influence
When it comes to conset for treatment, which two pillars of medical ethics need to be considered and balanced? (2)
- Beneficence; obligation of the physician to act so as to benefit the patient
- Respect for autonomy; ability of the patient to act deliberately and in accordance with their values
For consent to be ‘informed’ what information must be provided to the patient? (3)
- All options available to them including to do nothing
- Nature of the act and the purpose including expected benefits
- Risks associated with each option
Outline the two key components that need to be covered when discussing the risks to a patient of a particular intervention? (2)
- What a ‘reasonable patient’ would want to know
- Any additional information that the specific patient wants to know
Outline the two components that make up the capacity assessment? (2)
- Diagnostic threshold; does the patient have a disorder or impairment in the function of their mind or brain
- Functional test; can they demonstrate the ability to make a relevant a decision for themself
Under what circumstances would a patient fail the functional test of decision making that makes up part of the capacity assessment?
If they are unable to do any one or more of the four tasks that make up the functional test (understand, retain, weigh-up/use, communicate)
In order for a patient who meets the diagnostic threshold component of the capacity assessment, what other feature must be demonstrated in order for them to be deemed to lack capacity?
Patients with a known disturbance in functioning of mind or brain MUST also be demonstrated to not have the ability to make a relevant decision in order for them to be deemed to lack capacity
Outline the key assertion of the Fraser Guidelines?
In order to treat children under 16, the consent of a person with parental responsibility, or the prior authorisation of the Courts, is required before treatment can be given
Outline the key exception to the Fraser Guidelines?
Treatment of a patient under the age of 16 years can proceed provided that they are consenting for such treatment and that they have be proven to be ‘Gillick competent’
Outline the law regarding consent for a procedure in patients who are 16 or 17 years of age?
Patients who are 16 or 17 years of age are presumed to be competent to consent for treatment without the need for prior consent from a person with parental responsibility
Outline the law regarding refusal to consent for a procedure in patients who are under the age of 18 years?
Refusal to treatment made by patients under 18 years can be overridden by consent for treatment made on their behalf by an individual with parental resonsbility, even if the patient has been deemed to be Gillick competent
What caveat is there to the ability of proxy consent by an individual with parental responsibility to overrule a refusal to consent to treatment made by a patient under the age of 18?
Provided this decision falls within the ‘zone of parental control’ based on what is considered normal practice in society and that the decision being made by the individual with parental responsibility is in the best interest of the child/young person
Outline the law regarding the consent for treatment in patients who are detained under Section 2 or Section 3 of the Mental Health Act (MHA)?
Treatment for patients detained under Section 2 or Section 3 of the Mental Health Act (MHA) can proceed without consent provided it is treatment for their mental health condition only and not treatment of a medical condition
Outline the difference between capacitous refusals for treatment for a mental health illness and refusals for treatment of a physical health illness? (2)
- Capacitous refusals for treatment of a mental health illness can be overridden
- Capacitous refusals for treatment of a physical health illness cannot be overridden
Outline the three legitimate justifications that can be used for the provision or witholding of treatment in an adult that lacks capacity? (3)
- Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT); a decision made in advance to refuse a specific type of treatment in the future
- Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA); a person nominated to make a decision regarding treatment that is in line with the patient’s own best interests
- Best interest decision (BID); the person providing/witholding the treatment may do so provided they believe it to be in the patient’s own best interests
Under what circumstance may an advanced decision to refuse treatment (ADRT) be invalidated?
If the patient has subsequently gone on to appoint a lasting power of attorney (LPA)
Who can you contact if you are unsure whether or not a valid advanced decision to refuse treatment (ADRT) is applicable to the treatment you are proposing exists?
Court of Protection
If you are awaiting clarification regarding the presence and/or validity of an advanced decision to refuse treatment (ADRT), how should you proceed with treatment?
In the meantime treatment should be provided necessary to preserve life and prevent serious deterioration
When can the Court of Protection appoint a Personal Welfare Deputy in patients with no Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)? (2)
- If there is doubt about whether decisions made will be made in someones best interests (i.e. family disagreements)
- Where someone needs to make multiple decisions regarding a specific issue over time (i.e. choosing Where someone will live)
Broadly speaking, what is the difference between statutory law and common law?
- Statutory (written) law; specific laws proposed by the government of a country and passed into written legislation
- Common (case) law; laws declared by judges derived from custom and precedent that are defined when new decisions are made
Outline the four main conditions under which a breach of confidentiality is considered lawful? (4)
- The patient to whom the disclosure relates to consents to the disclosure
- Based on a best interests decision in a patient that lacks the capacity to consent to the disclosure
- Where there is a legal obligation or statutory permission to disclose the information
- On the basis that the disclosure can be justified as in the public interest
Outline the key GMC principles regarding information governance? (8)
- Use the minimum necessary personal information
- Manage and protect information
- Be aware of your responsibilities
- Comply with the law
- Share relevant information for direct care
- Ask for explicit consent to disclose identifiable information
- Tell patients about disclosures you make
- Support patients to access their information
Is it ever possible to share/disclose patient information without their consent where there is no perceived benefit to the patient/public and the disclosure is not required by law?
Yes; if it is anonymised information that cannot foreseeably be used to identify a patient, it is not considered confidential and therefore may be used for legitimate purpose(s) without consent
Outline the two main circumstances where you have a legal obligation to disclose information? (2)
- Statutory obligation/permission
- Specifically ordered to by a court
Are you legally obliged to disclose information to a police officer under all circumstances?
No; information can only be disclosed to police officers if that information satisfies one or more of the principle justifications regarding the lawful disclosure of information (i.e. consent, best interests, public interest or legal court order/statutory obligation)
Under what circumstances does the GMC state that disclosure of information is justifiable under the basis of public interest? (2)
- If failure to disclose may put someone other than the patient at risk of death or serious harm
- If the disclosure is likely to help in the prevention, detection or prosecution of a serious crime
Outline the two component moral claims that encompass the doctrine of double effect? (2)
- Performing a bad act in order to bring about a good consequence is always wrong
- Performing a good act, which one foresees as potentially leading to a bad consequence, is sometimes right
Outline the definition of voluntary active euthanasia?
Intentionally killing someone, with their consent, for their benefit
Outline the definition of non-voluntary active euthanasia?
Intentionally killing someone, who lacks capacity to consent, for their benefit
Outline the definition of involuntary active euthanasia?
Intentionally killing someone, against their expressed wishes, for their benefit
Outline the definition of voluntary passive euthanasia?
Intentionally allowing someone to die, with their consent, for their benefit
Outline the definition of non-voluntary passive euthanasia?
Intentionally allowing someone, who lacks capacity to consent, to die, for their benefit
Outline the definition of involuntary passive euthanasia?
Intentionally allowing someone to die, against their expressed wishes, for their benefit
What is the difference between physician assisted suicide and assisted dying? (2)
- Physician assisted suicide; providing any patient the means to end their own life
- Assisted dying; providing a terminally ill individual the means to end their own life
What should you do if a police officer intends to issue you with a caution?
Do not accept the caution without first seeking legal advice
Which individuals can refer doctors to the general medical council (GMC)? (3)
- Employers (e.g. NHS Trusts)
- Colleagues
- Members of the public
Outline the possible outcomes that can occur following a meeting of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) where Fitness to Practise (FtP) has been found to have been impaired? (4)
- No action, the doctor can continue practising
- Conditions on continued registration and practise
- Suspension from the register
- Erasure from the register
Outline the three tiers of fitness to practise assessment at the Clinical School of the University of Cambridge? (3)
- Informal notification of low level concerns
- Referral to a Progress Panel
- Fitness for Medical Practice Adjudication Board
Outline the phases that make up a Fitness for Medical Practice Adjudication Board Assessment? (3)
- Preliminary stage
- Investigation stage
- Adjudication stage
Outline the main outcomes of a Fitness for Medical Practice Adjudication Board? (3)
- Outcome 1: no action, student is fit to continue on the course
- Outcome 2; student can continue on the course subject to conditions
- Outcome 3; student is removed from the course and the medical student register
What are the five main circumstances in which the fitness of a doctor to practise may be taken into question? (5)
- Actual or potential harm to patients
- Disregard for clinical responsibilities
- Personal health is compromising patient safety
- Abuse of patient trust or disregard for autonomy
- Deliberate dishonesty/fraudulent behaviour
Outline the possible outcomes that can occur following a meeting of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) where Fitness to Practise (FtP) has been found to have not been impaired? (2)
- Warning; used if there has been a departure from the principles of good medical practise
- No action; if fitness to practise is not impaired and there was no deviation from good medical practise
Which circumstances are exempt from erasure from the General Medical Council (GMC) register being an outcome?
Cases where a doctor’s health is the sole reason for referral
What is the difference between an audit and a service evaluation? (2)
- Audits; compare the outcomes or processes in a clinical service to a pre-defined standard
- Service evaluations; measure the outcomes or processes in a clinical service without comparison to a pre-defined standard
Outline the similarities between an audit and a service evaluation in terms of the information they are concerned with?
Audits and service evaluations both measure outcomes or processes in a clinical service
Outline the four main types of clinical research? (4)
ASK Qs;
- Audits
- Service evaluation
- Knowledge acquisition research
- Quality improvement
Outline the main aim of quality improvement research?
To improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients using a particular service
Which types of research project do not require a Research Ethics Committee (REC) review? (4)
- Audit projects
- Service evaluation projects
- Quality improvement projects
- Public health surveillance projects
Which department should be notified when undertaking a clinical research project?
Research & Development (R&D) Department of the NHS Trust
What is meant by the term ‘equipoise’?
Equipoise describes the position of not knowing whether or not an intervention will provide an overall benefit
What is the main ethical problem associated with conducting clinical research?
The fact that we do not know whether or not the intervention will be of benefit means that the priniciple of beneficence cannot be applied to such activities
Which piece of legislation governs the standards that medical researchers must adhere to?
World Medical Association (WMA) Declaration of Helsinki (1964)
Which types of research projects require a Research Ethics Committee (REC) review?
Knowledge acquisition research projects
When must a Research Ethics Committee (REC) review be undertaken?
Before the project is advertised and/or participants are recruited
Under which circumstances is an NHS Research Ethics Committee (NHS-REC) review nedded? (3)
- Research that recruits NHS patients and/or their relatives and carers
- Research that collects tissue from NHS patients
- Research that involves activities that require consent but in adults who lack capacity to do so
Outline the main dimensional clusters that differ between different cultures? (9)
- Individualism vs collectivism
- Power distance
- Uncertainty avoidance
- Mastery vs harmony
- Traditionalism vs secularism
- Indulgence vs restraint
- Assertiveness vs tenderness
- Gender egalitarianism
- Collaborativeness
What is meant by the term ‘ethnocentrism’?
Imposition of ones own cultural values and beliefs upon another
Outline the different approaches to cultural diversity as proposed by Friedman and Berthoin-Antal? (4)
- High-advocacy, high enquiry; expressing and advocating your own values whilst trying to understand those of the other culture
- High-advocacy, low enquiry; expressing and advocating your own values whilst ignoring those of the other culture
- Low-advocacy, high enquiry; suppressing your own values whilst trying to understand those of the other culture
- Low-advocacy, low-enquiry; suppressing your own values and ignoring those of the other culture
Which approach to cultural diversity is thought to be the most beneficial in terms of intercultural learning?
High-advocacy, high-enquiry
Outine the two main types of bias against a person? (2)
- Conscious (explicit) bias
- Unconscious (implicit) bias
Which two opposing models have been proposed to explain the apparent shortage of facts in psychiatric medicine? (2)
- Medical model; psychiatric disorders are caused by dysfunction in the brain and neuroscience has not progressed enough to identify the underlying pathology
- Anti-psychiatry model; psychiatry is fundamentally different to physical medicine and diagnosis has no factual basis but is instead an evaluative process
Outline the value-based medicine (VBM) argument that attempts to explain the apparent shortage of facts in psychiatry compared to physical medicine?
Values at the core of psychiatric medicine are more widely disputed (because they involve motivation, desire, affect and belief). Whereas, the values at the core of physical medicine are largely shared (i.e. pain is bad)