What happens if a child does not consent to life saving treatment?
There is a duty to report children “in need of protection” and therefore the CAS must typically be notified if parents do not consent to life-saving treatment. The CAS investigates and can apply to court with the ultimate result being that the CAS gets to make the medical decision in question.
Do minors have the right to refuse life-saving therapies?
The right to refuse life-saving therapies on religious grounds is also strongly defined, most notably the refusal of blood transfusions by Jehovah’s Witnesses [3]. Whether the same rights apply to minors (typically defined as younger than 18, though the definition varies by state) is more complex.
Can a parent refuse medical treatment for their child?
Outside of these circumstances, parents have the right to consent or refuse medical treatment for their children. For example: If a child has a terminal condition and several doctors agree that treatment is no longer beneficial for the child, then the parents have the right to refuse treatment and seek hospice care for their child.
Are parents’ views and wishes relevant to medical treatment for children?
There are a number of reasons that parents’ views and wishes are ethically relevant to decisions about medical treatment for children. If we take those reasons into account, that suggests that whether or not treatment is provided for a child with a given health condition will vary from family to family.
Can parents refuse life-saving treatment for their children?
State intervention on a medical decision for a minor may go further than just health care. When parents refuse necessary or life-saving care for their child, they could face serious legal consequences as well. States often refer to this as medical neglect and have laws against it.
Can parents withhold life-saving treatment?
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.
Do you think that parents should decide they don't want medical treatment for their kids?
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.
Can you refuse life-saving treatment?
After a competent patient chooses to forego a life-sustaining treatment or procedure, the healthcare team is faced with only one option: We must support the wishes of the patient that will ultimately result in his or her death. Forcing treatment on a patient without his or her informed consent is illegal.
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.
Can doctors override parents decisions?
That is, because of the existence of an emergency, treatment is legally permissible, and the court does not need to adjudicate the best interest of the child in approving the physician's decision to override a parental refusal for treatment.
Can parents refuse treatment?
Legal rights of parents when refusing medical treatment for children. When a doctor has advised that a child needs to undergo a medical procedure/treatment, those who have parental responsibility for the child ordinarily have the right to decide whether or not to go ahead.
Can doctors go against parents wishes?
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.
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.
What happens if a patient refuses life saving treatment?
When patients in need explicitly refuse life-sustaining emergency treatment, the physician must choose between the undesirable options of forgoing beneficial treatment and forcing treatment on a competent but unwilling patient [1], both of which have potential ethical and legal consequences.
What do you do when a loved one refuses treatment?
How to Handle an Elderly Loved One Who Refuses to See a DoctorBe Honest with Your Loved One. ... Try to Listen Without Judgement. ... Encourage Your Loved One to Consider All Options. ... Avoid Arguing with Your Loved One About the Issue. ... Remember That Your Loved One is Responsible For Their Own Choices.More items...
What should a doctor do if a patient refuse life saving treatment for religious reasons?
Three physician experts suggest that to discern when to accommodate a patient's refusal of treatment on religious grounds, doctors should embrace medicine's traditional orientation toward preserving and restoring health.