PHL100Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Terri Schiavo Case, Reasonable Person, Informed Consent
Document Summary
Informed consent reflects respect for autonomy (of competent adult patients). Adult models of informed consent assume that the patient is autonomous and has a stable sense of self, established values, and mature cognitive skills (30). Infants aren t capable of articulating underlying goals and values and to reason. As children get older, it s plausible for them to make small decisions. We still think autonomy is important to children because they re still going to be adults. To secure the patient s best interest, let patients decide. We think it s the role of the gov t and doctors to protect the best interest (paternalism), but we also have a social role to protect the interests of children. Case study: (refer to involving children in medical decisions reading) She may have maturity beyond her years, but because she only has 20% chance of living, go through with chemo. The child is on the cusp of adolescent maturity.
