Religion is only one of several reasons that parents may use for keeping their child from undergoing a medical treatment. Safety concerns and personal preferences also come into play. But Caplan says that American society tends to be a “little more sympathetic” when parents refuse medical care for their children because of religious reasons.
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.
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 should doctors do when parents refuse treatment for their child?
Doctors should balance the child’s well-being and the parents’ autonomy by accepting choices that may be sub-optimal for the child, as long as they are not harmful. Parents refusing treatment for their child is one type of situation for which doctors seek clinical ethics advice in paediatric hospitals.
Is it ethical for doctors to accept the treatment parents want?
This is a tool that holds it is ethical for doctors to accept a treatment option parents want, providing it is good enough, rather than insisting on the best possible treatment. What’s in the best interests?
Why do parents refuse medical treatment for their child?
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.
What if parents disagree about medical treatment?
So a problem arises if your ex isn't complying or is constantly disagreeing with your medical decisions. If this is the case, you can seek relief from the court under the grounds that you and your co-parent are not capable of making joint decisions, and you cannot both exercise legal custody of your 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.
Do parents have the right to refuse standard 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.
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.
Should doctors override parents?
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.
What would you do if a parent refuses drugs for their child for religious or moral reasons?
If the patient is a child who lacks capacity to make a decision, and both parents16 refuse treatment on the grounds of their religious or moral beliefs, you must discuss their concerns and look for treatment options that will accommodate their beliefs.
Can a parent refuse chemo for their child?
Cancer treatment for children almost always requires parental consent. Minor patients (those younger than age 18) are generally presumed incompetent, thus legally incapable of providing consent to their own medical treatment. Therefore, parents must make treatment decisions on their behalf.
Should a competent patient have the right to refuse a treatment?
Every competent adult has the right to refuse unwanted medical treatment. This is part of the right of every individual to choose what will be done to their own body, and it applies even when refusing treatment means that the person may die.
Can a parent demand that you provide their child with treatment and you are uncomfortable with?
Can parents refuse to provide their children with necessary medical treatment on the basis of their beliefs? Parents have legal and moral authority to make health care decisions for their children, as long as those decisions do not pose a significant risk of serious harm to the child's health.
Is it correct to refuse treatment because of religious beliefs?
Simply, if an adult under your care is mentally competent and refuses a treatment, including blood transfusions, surgery, or standard medical care, based on a held religious or cultural belief, the law generally grants this right of choice—even if the consequences of refusal are dire.
Which 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. The Faith Tabernacle Congregation in Altoona, PA believes that disease is caused by the devil.