Parents are the default medical decision-makers for their children for many ethically important reasons. Usually, parents know their children best and this knowledge – alongside the clinical expertise of doctors – is important in understanding how their child may experience a particular medical treatment.
Full Answer
Why are parents better suited to make medical decisions for their children?
As a result, parents are better situated than most others to understand the unique needs of their child and to make decisions that are in the child’s interests. Furthermore, since many medical decisions will also affect the child's family, parents can factor family issues and values into medical decisions about their children.
What happens when parents are not available to make decisions?
When parents are not available to make decisions about a child's treatment, medical caretakers may provide treatment necessary to prevent harm to the child's health.
Who should control a child’s medical treatment options?
When a child needs medical attention, the parent with the decision-making power should control the child’s treatment options. If parents share decision-making power, then both parents will have to come to an agreement about how the child should be treated. However, there is an exception to the decision-making power rules.
When can parental authority to make medical decisions for their children be challenged?
When can parental authority to make medical decisions for their children be challenged? Medical caretakers have an ethical and legal duty to advocate for the best interests of the child when parental decisions are potentially dangerous to the child's health, imprudent, neglectful, or abusive.
Should parents make medical decisions for their child?
In most cases, parents are appropriate surrogate decision makers for their children and should give primacy to the best interests of their child. However, some older children and adolescents may have the decision-making capacity to make their own health care decisions.
Do you think that parents should have the right to reject medical treatment for their children on the basis of religious beliefs?
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.
When parents refuse treatment for their child?
Parents who refuse medical care for themselves may allow it for their children. Some parents may decline medical care for their children for less serious conditions, but may agree to it in more extreme situations. Caplan also cautions against judging parents too harshly for following their religious beliefs.
What if parents disagree on medical treatment?
Legal Options When Parents Disagree on Medical Decisions If there is shared decision-making regarding medical issues and both parents cannot come to an agreement, the court will examine the facts both parties put forth and determine what is in the best interest of the child.
Should parents be allowed to refuse medical treatment for their children?
Generally, a Minor is capable of independently consenting to or refusing their medical treatment when they achieve a sufficient level of understanding and intelligence to enable them to understand fully what is proposed. This means that there is no set age at which a child or young person is capable of giving consent.
Can doctors override parents?
According to McDougall and Notini, physicians have no authority to override a parent; they can only ask the state to do so.
Is withholding medical treatment abuse?
Most nursing homes take excellent care of their residents. Unfortunately, however, some are the site of abusive behavior and neglect. This can range from physical abuse to lesser-known forms of mistreatment such as withholding medicine from residents.
Can a child be forced to take medication?
The short answer is “yes.” A person has a constitutional right to refuse medication and other forms of medical treatment, and that includes the right of parents to refuse to allow that their children be medicated.
What religion does not believe in medical treatment?
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusion. Christian Scientists refuse most medical treatment. Instead they rely on the healing prayers of Christian Scientist Practitioners.
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 is poor co parenting?
Bad-mouthing the other parent in front of your child or in their hearing. Directing negative non-verbal communication at the other parent in front of your child. Exposing your child to conflict between you and their other parent, whether in-person or on the phone.
When can doctors override patients?
Surrogates may demand to override a medically appropriate DNR issued with the consent of a patient who is dying. “The treatment team should be skeptical about a surrogate's thinly supported assertion that the patient changed his or her mind, or never meant the DNR to apply under the circumstances,” Swidler offers.
How does religion affect medical treatment?
Patients often turn to their religious and spiritual beliefs when making medical decisions. Religion and spirituality can impact decisions regarding diet, medicines based on animal products, modesty, and the preferred gender of their health providers.
What religion does not allow medical treatment?
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusion. Christian Scientists refuse most medical treatment. Instead they rely on the healing prayers of Christian Scientist Practitioners.
What is the religion that refuses medical treatment?
Jehovah's Witnesses and Christian Scientists are the two most common religious doctrines that may dictate treatment refusal, limitation, or preference for prayer.
Can a parent refuse to consent to a lifesaving procedure for their child?
The court explained that in a situation where the medical treatment proposed for a child is not life-saving or life-sustaining, a court order is needed to override a parent's refusal to consent to the treatment.