Parents refusing treatment for their child is one type of situation for which doctors seek clinical ethics advice in paediatric hospitals. Although clinical ethics support services are widespread and longstanding in the United States and United Kingdom, in Australia they are in their infancy.
Full Answer
What if there is a disagreement in treatment choice between parents?
However, consider the situation where there is a disagreement in treatment choice between the parent of an ill child and the physician. These disagreements often occur in cases where the prognosis for the severely ill infant or child is that they will survive, but with a poor quality of life.
Can a health professional override a parent's wishes about medical treatment?
The author (s) describe an ethical framework that specifies the circumstances under which a health professional is justified in overriding a parent's wishes about a child's medical treatment The proposed framework focuses on hospital-based healthcare professionals (rather than, eg, general practitioners or school nurses)
When does a parent have authority to make treatment decisions?
These disagreements often occur in cases where the prognosis for the severely ill infant or child is that they will survive, but with a poor quality of life. The presumption is that the parent has authority to make treatment decisions for a child when the child does not have the capacity to do so.
What happens if a child's treatment is denied?
denial of that treatment (which is of proven efficacy and has a high probability of success) would result in the deprivation of the child's basic needs the anticipated result of treatment gives the child a chance for normal healthy growth or a life worth living as evaluated from the child's own perspective’ (p. 140). 8
What happens when parents disagree about medical treatment?
If your child's legal custodian refuses a life-saving or life-improving medication, surgery, vaccine, or other medical procedure and you disagree, you can petition the court for intervention.
Can parents refuse medical treatment for their child?
Parents have the responsibility and authority to make medical decisions on behalf of their children. This includes the right to refuse or discontinue treatments, even those that may be life-sustaining. However, parental decision-making should be guided by the best interests of the child.
When parents disagree with doctors on a child's treatment who should have the final say?
In some cases, one parent will have legal custody of the child, giving them the final say on major healthcare decisions. But in most cases, parents share joint legal custody. In these instances, parents typically must come to an agreement regarding medical decisions.
Can doctors override parents decisions?
However, there are situations where doctors can disagree with a parent's decision if a child is in a severe medical dilemma. The parens patriae doctrine gives the state the right to intervene with a parent's decision when it's believed they are not acting in the best interest for the child's well-being.
Can parents refuse medical treatment for their child for religious reasons?
Religious Beliefs are Not a Defense for Denying Treatment to a Child. Adults have the right to refuse their own medical care for religious or personal reasons. However, this legal right to refuse medical care does not extend to their children if it endangers the child's welfare.
Why should parents make medical decisions for their child?
Introduction: Parents/legal guardians are medical decision-makers for their minor children. Lack of parental capacity to appreciate the implications of the diagnosis and consequences of refusing recommended treatment may impede pediatric patients from receiving adequate medical care.
Do both parents have to agree on medication?
Solutions for Medication Disputes If one party has sole legal custody, then he or she has the exclusive right to make medical decisions for the children. If you have joint legal custody, then both parents must come to agreement on issues regarding medical decisions.
What will happen if a patient's family members disagree about the care of an incapacitated patient?
When a proxy makes decisions that other parties, such as family members, disagree with, the authority of the proxy can be challenged. In order to address this issue, patients often draft a living will, which attempts to clarify the wishes of the patient.
Should parents make decisions for their child?
Decision making is one of the most important skills your children need to develop to become healthy and mature adults. Decision making is crucial because the decisions your children make dictate the path that their lives take. Teaching your children to make their own decisions has several benefits.
Can you overrule doctors decision?
If you disagree with the decision then you should speak to the doctor, as you have the right to be consulted. You might not change her mind, but she should listen to you and explain the reasons for her decision. If you still disagree, then you can request a second opinion.
Who has the right to make healthcare decisions for patients?
A POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE lets you name an agent to make decisions for you. Your agent can make most medical decisions – not just those about life sustaining treatment – when you can't speak for yourself. You can also let your agent make decisions earlier, if you wish.