Medical Ethics Flashcards
The 4 basic ethics principles
When can a child consent to an HIV test
12 years
-Must know the implications, stigma around HIV, nutrition, chronicity&meds,
when can a child be able to get contraception and condoms without consent
12 years
When can a child consent to medical procedures such as medication and surgery
12 years, however, presence of adult parent or guardian is recommended. Provided they understand risk and benefit
When can a child be able to get TOP
Child of any age if they can understand the risk and benefits
What happens if a child refuses to give consent
(Children who have capacity to consent also have capacity to refuse treatment or surgery )
- There must be medically accepted alternatives to the surgery or treatment, medication and surgery cannot be refused solely based on religious or other beliefs.
- If the child unreasonably refuses to consent, Minister of Social Development or the courts must be approached to overrule the childs refusal
Who can consent when a child lacks capacity to consent
- Parents or guardians (for medical and surgery, for HIV testing, can consent if child is under 12 or not mature enough to understand implications of the test)
- Caregivers (For medical tx but cant consent to surgery. can consent to HIV if child lacks capacity)
- Designated child protection organisation e.g child welfare: For HIV testing or disclosure of child’s HIV status (if child lacks capacity to consent)
- Superintendent or person incharge of a hospital: For HIV testing and disclosure of HIV+ status (if no parent, caregivers, no organization arranging placement for child, child is under 12 and not mature to undersand and give consent)
Who can consent in medical emergencies
Superintendant or person incharge of the hospital
-If tx necessary to save child life
-There isnt enough time to get necessary consent from people authorized to give consent.
When can the Minister of Social Development, Head of Social services or the Court consent with regards to children
For medical tx and Surgery
-When child, parent or guardian unreasonably refuses
When parents, guardians or caregiver are incapable of giving consent
When parents cannot be traced or are deceased
For an HIV test
-When child has no parents, guardian or caregiver and no organization organizing placement of child
Which acts obligates health professionals to reporting child abuse
Children’s Act (Linking children and families with support services)
Sexual Offenses Act (Prosecuting perpetrators)
when should you report
Children’s Act
If you conclude beyond reasonable doubts that a child has been:
-abused physically
-sexually
deliberately neglected
(conclusion based on balance of probabilities following observation of signs and indicators)
Sexual Offenses Act
-If you have knowledge of a sexual offence committed against a child (some proof, physical signs or confession by child)
Who should you report to as a HCW
Children’s Act
-designated child protection organisation
-provincial department of social development
-police official
Sexual Offenses Act
-Police Official
also report to social services you know
How to report
Children’s Act: Form 22
Sexual Offences Act: No form required
What are the consequences of failing to report a case of child abuse
children’s Act: A fine or up to 10 years in prison
Sexual Offences Act: A fine or up to 5 years in prison
What is the age of consent to have sex with a person over 18 as a child
Not under 16.
16 years or older
NB gap amongst those under 18 should be 2 years
