Ethics

Question 1

What are the exceptions to informed consent?

Answer 1

1) Lack of decision making capacity - when patient lacks decision making capacity, an appropriate surrogate should give permission/refusal, following the patient’s previously stated preferences/best interest.
2) Emergencies - when delaying treatment to obtain informed consent may jeopardize patient’s health or life
3) Therapeutic Privilege - physician may withhold info when disclosure would severely harm patient or undermine informed decision making by patient (i.e. telling patient they have cancer might provoke patient to commit suicide)
4) Waiver - if patient does not want to participate in making decisions about their care, they can sign a waiver to waive their right to informed consent.

Question 2

According to California law, when can trainees perform pelvic examinations on anesthetized or unconscious patients?

Answer 2

Patient must give informed consent ahead of time.

Question 3

What did Elizabeth Bouvia request?

Answer 3

The right to starve to death

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Bouvia

Question 4

For informed consent, what information do patients need to know?

Answer 4

1) Nature of test/treatment
2) Benefits, risks, and consequences of intervention
3) Alternatives and their benefits, risks, and consequences

Do not need to 1) talk about treatments with no scientific rationale, would offer no edical benefit. etc.

Question 5

What are the key features of…..

• Dax Coward Case
• Karen Ann Quinlan Case
• Elizabeth Bouvia
• William Bartling Case

Question 6

What type of treatments can be forced on patients?