Healthcare Ethics: Patient Consent and Treatment Dilemma in Pediatrics

This case study examines the ethical dilemma surrounding patient consent and treatment decisions in healthcare, specifically focusing on a scenario involving a six-year-old child diagnosed with meningitis whose parents are hesitant to provide consent for medical treatment due to their religious beliefs. The assignment explores the conflict between the child's immediate need for medical attention and the parents' right to make decisions regarding their child's healthcare. The case study analyzes the responsibilities of healthcare practitioners, the importance of informed consent, and the potential consequences of both providing and withholding treatment. It also considers the legal and ethical implications of parental consent in pediatric care and explores the role of cultural and religious beliefs in medical decision-making. The case study emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to balance the child's well-being with parental rights and the importance of ethical considerations in medical practice, drawing from resources like Légaré et al. (2011) and Uhl (2013).

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Healthcare
Name of student:
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Patient consent is a significant concern when it comes to health care practice, and it is
necessary for a practitioner to include this element in the care delivered to the individual
patient (Légaré et al., 2011). The holistic approach taken in nursing care justifies the
requirement of patient consent and autonomy. In case of childcare, the family members are to
provide consent regarding the care process, and their decision influences the course of care
provided. Until a child reaches the age of 18 years, he is not in a position to take decisions
regarding his healthcare (Uhl, 2013).
As per the provided case study, the consent for the care intervention of the six year
old child is to be taken from his parents. Since the child is suffering from meningitis and has
severe symptoms, it is a requisite concern to provide him with adequate treatment, not
pharmacological and non-pharmacological. The parents of the child are not providing the
consent to commence on medical treatment for the child. The parents of the child have certain
spiritual and cultural beliefs. The ethical dilemma that arises in this regard is whether the
child should be provided with the care he requires in the absence of parent’s consent since he
is in immediate need of medical attention or should he not be given so. The healthcare
practitioner needs to choose one option among these two. The treatment provided to him
would relief him from his present condition; however, there is also a need of receiving
consent for ensuing satisfaction of the parents.

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References
Légaré, F., Stacey, D., Pouliot, S., Gauvin, F. P., Desroches, S., Kryworuchko, J., ... &
Graham, I. D. (2011). Interprofessionalism and shared decision-making in primary
care: a stepwise approach towards a new model. Journal of interprofessional
care, 25(1), 18-25.
Uhl, T., Fisher, K., Docherty, S. L., & Brandon, D. H. (2013). Insights into Patient and
Family‐Centered Care Through the Hospital Experiences of Parents. Journal of
Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 42(1), 121-13