Should the adult independence age be the age of eighteen? Are children mature and old enough to make their own medical decisions? As an individual who believes in the adult independent age, the independence age is in place for a reason. As of today, the main debate about the adult independence age is whether a child can make their own medical decisions or that children may not have the chance to voice their opinions. This essay will discuss a few main points such as; children may or may not have the chance to voice their opinions, depending on the situation, and parents know best. As stated above these topics will be covered and thoroughly explained. So now that you know the keep points that will be spoken about, let’s talk about …show more content…
Forcing a child into a procedure that the child is against should not happen, however, it also depends on the situation. A child, for instance, may not have the knowledge nor proper judgement to know what may be in their best interest. Factors such as age or knowledge can affect the decision of the child. A child, for example, may need a surgery performed that will greatly benefit the child’s life. If the child were to choose whether they would like to go through the procedure or not, the child could disagree, just because of the fact that they are frightened by the thought of surgery. In a situation like this, it would be best for the child to go through the procedure because it may benefit the child’s life even though they may not see it. Which leads me to my next point, let’s look at the third …show more content…
For this third point I will be sharing my personal experience. Around the year 2010, I had a surgery performed to remove my appendix. Prior to this surgery I was home, and being only ten years of age this affected my decision as well as my life. I was home and was feeling some excruciating pain on the right side, of the lower side of my abdomen. I told my mother about my pain, she then told me to go rest. As hours went by soon some symptoms appeared. Some of the symptoms I experienced were; struggling to walk, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fever. My mother instantly saw my symptoms and told me that we should drive to the nearest hospital. I was young and hated the hospital, so I told her I would heal within time. So my mother agreed but kept a very close eye on me. Slowly my symptoms progressed and worsened within the time that passed. My mother could not stand for my suffering any longer, so she helped dress me and drove me to Urgent Care. Once we arrived to Urgent Care I was tested on and received results that I had appendicitis and should be driven to the Children's Hospital to remove my appendix. Instead of going to the Children's Hospital we went to the University Hospital and into the Emergency Room. I was then tested on to confirm I had appendicitis. Once my mother and father found out I was rushed to the Children's Hospital in an ambulance truck. Finally, once we arrived to the Children's Hospital I was scheduled for
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political, and bioethical reasoning. Inside these connections, it is the limit of a sound individual to make an educated, unpressured decision. Patient autonomy can conflict with clinician autonomy and, in such a clash of values, it is not obvious which should prevail. (Lantos, Matlock & Wendler, 2011). In order to gain informed consent, a patient
In pediatric cases, the parents/guardians are initially given the right to make decisions for their minor
Patient autonomy was the predominant concern during the time of publication of both Ezekiel and Linda Emanuel, and Edmund D. Pellegrino and David C. Thomasma's texts. During that time, the paternalistic model, in which a doctor uses their skills to understand the disease and choose a best course of action for the patient to take, had been replaced by the informative model, one which centered around patient autonomy. The latter model featured a relationship where the control over medical decisions was solely given to the patient and the doctor was reduced to a technical expert. Pellegrino and Thomasma and the Emanuel’s found that the shift from one extreme, the paternalistic model, to the other, the informative model, did not adequately move towards an ideal model. The problem with the informative model, according to the Emanuel’s, is that the autonomy described is simple, which means the model “presupposes that p...
This paper will focus on the two different sides of adolescents and their choice concerning end of life care. The first section will be adolescent centered and will help to provide a backbone to reinforce the choices they legally should be able to make using their right to autonomy. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine did a very helpful study, that is pro adolescent choice that will be discussed in the first section of the paper. The second section will focus on Paternalism and the ethics behind the health care team making the ultimate decision that will benefit the patient. As well as information and studies in regard to an adolescent’s decision making process, and their tendency to be impulsive.
In the book The Right to Die by Elaine Landau a story is shared of a young boy. The kids name is Juan and he was seventeen years of age, he had a terrible tumor that had to be operated on. The first surgery he had went well, but dismally the tumor came back again. Subsequently after the first surgery Juan was weak and almost died. The doctor and parents decided that he needed another surgery, however, Juan disagreed. He wanted to live the last few months of his life without pain, he wanted to go enjoy time at school and with friends. Instead his parents forced him into surgery and sadly died three weeks after surgery. The fact of the matter is that minors have a voice too, and it needs to be understood. Exactly like the Right to Die, some want the option to use it and others do not, but as long as it is available terminally ill patients feel more welcoming to the thought of death (Landau
Everyone has the right to make his or her own decisions, health and care professionals must always assume an individual has the capacity to make their own decisions unless it’s proved otherwise through capacity assessment.
To me, the issue was two sided because I could understand if the parents did not believe or feel medicine could be helpful that forcing them could make matters worse for the child. As a professional, I can see the importance of treatment. Taking a child from the parents, I feel should be a worse case scenario. I felt that taking a child from a parent due to health
Critics might also argue that there is “too extreme” of a risk associated with allowing a seventeen year to accomplish such grand decisions. The risks being, they refuse critical medical treatment, or they lie about what is wrong with them, just to obtain prescription medicines. Those risks are risks that are associated even within the older
In comparison to the other health philosophies, decision-making sticks out to me as the most reasonable, as well as the most ethical philosophy to teach by. It is not only useful for planning class lessons, but it fulfills the different articles of the Code of Ethics for Health Teachers; especially Article I: Responsibility to the public, and Article V: Responsibility in Research and Evaluation. For example, Section I of Article I stresses the Health Educator’s support of an individual’s right to make an informed decision. As a Health Educator for grades 9 – 12, I would be in a classroom with young adults who are just discovering themselves through identifying their own unique thoughts and ideas. Since that age group is where most development into adulthood takes place, it is important for them to learn to make their own choices regarding personal health. Also, the young adults in this age group tend to be more independent, ...
Alan Goldman argues that medical paternalism is unjustified except in very rare cases. He states that disregarding patient autonomy, forcing patients to undergo procedures, and withholding important information regarding diagnoses and medical procedures is morally wrong. Goldman argues that it is more important to allow patients to have the ability to make autonomous decisions with their health and what treatment options if any they want to pursue. He argues that medical professionals must respect patient autonomy regardless of the results that may or may not be beneficial to a patient’s health. I will both offer an objection and support Goldman’s argument. I will
This provides people with control over their health care when they cannot speak for themselves. In other words, a health care directive is a legal document recognized by a legislative body to promote autonomy (The Health Care Directives Act, 1992). Autonomy is described as the quality to function independently (Mosby, 2013). Autonomy is the fundamental concept of health care directives, it allows people to openly express their personal values and beliefs, without judgement of health care decisions, “…autonomous decisions as those made intentionally and with substantial understanding and freedom from controlling influences” (Entwistle, Carter, Cribb, & McCaffery, 2010). When all information is provided, the individual can make an informed decision about their health care and have a right to no influencing factors. The health care directive document provide people the opportunity to consent to or refuse treatment and who will have the authority to make decisions on the individual’s behalf if unconscious, or mental incapacity arise (The Health Care Directives Act, 1992). In order to fully practice autonomy, especially in regards to health care directives, the appropriate mental development is key to comprehending
In his essay, “The Refutation of Medical Paternalism,” Alan Goldman discusses his argument against differentiation in the roles between physicians and patients. He says the physician may act against a patient’s will in order treat the patient in their best interest. Goldman makes his whole argument around the assumption that a person’s right to decide his or her future is the most important and fundamental right, saying, “the autonomous individual is the source of those other goods he enjoys, and so is not to be sacrificed for the sake of them.” His claim is that most people agree that they are the best judges of their own self-interest and there is an innate value in the freedom to determine their own future. On these principles, Goldman starts by discussing conditions under which paternalism may be justified.
Autonomy is identified as another professional value and one that the nurse must possess. Autonomy is the right to self-determination. Nurse’s respect the patient’s right to make a decision regarding their healthcare. Practical application includes, educating patients and their families on their choices, honoring their right to make their own decision and stay in control of their health, developing care plans in collaboration with the patient (Taylor, C. Lillis, C. LeMone, P. Lynn, P,
Another ethical debate could be the ability to give informed consent. It can be argued that a child cannot fully be aware of what is happening until they reach a certain age (in South Australia, the age of medical consent is 16 years old) and therefore they cannot express their full informed consent for medical procedures until the age of 16 (MIGA, 2011). In any medical procedure, the patient must be informed about any risks and possible complications that may arise during the procedure and must be able to understand these risks and possible
Advocates of this issue believe that minors should have the right to be in charge of their medical decisions. Dr. Eric Kodish believes that decisions made by teenagers on the older side who are able to make a righteous decision should be carried out. “I think the ethics of modern American life suggest that if people have the capacity to make a decision, they should be free to refuse treatment” (Shute 1). Advocates of minors being able to make their own medical decisions believe that if the minor shows enough maturity understanding of their desired action, then it should be respected and carried out. Dr. Eric Kodish uses what he calls “The Rule of 7s” to determine when a child should be allowed to make the decision.