PHL100Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Side Effect, Palliative Sedation, Bioethics
Document Summary
Short to medium answers in full sentences and paragraph. Look at questions at the back of each chapter to get an idea. Many medical decisions dramatically affect the lives of family members, but bioethics tends to focus solely on the interests of the patient. Often, the patient s family is equally affected as the patient s (ex. treatment might cost too much, significant others might have to assume a caregiver role) We focus on the patient because the patient is ill and it s them who ll live or die. Focusing solely on benevolence toward the patient, and respecting the autonomy of the patient, overlooks significant interests of the family. Instead the medical and nonmedical interests of the patient and family ought should be weighed equally (sure competing interests of patient may often outweigh family interests) Ethical role of the physician: impartial advisor.
