PHL100Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Metastasis, Osteosarcoma, Canadian Paediatric Society
Document Summary
Involving children in medical decisions harrison, kenny, sidarous and rowell. Background: 11-year old samantha had osteosarcoma in her left arm, which was amputated, she also had to give up her pet cat to minimize her risk of infection. Later tests indicate that the cancer has metastasized into her lungs and her chance of survival is 20%. Her parents want to continue with treatment, samantha doesn"t. Her physician, psychologist and psychiatrist decide that she"s not old enough to make a competent decision. Ethics: adults models (parents, physicans) presume that he patient is autonomous and has a stable sense of self, established values, and mature cognitive skills; these characteristics are underdeveloped in children. A family-centered approach considers the effects of a decision on all family members, their responsibilities toward one another, and the burdens and benefits of a decision for each members, while acknowledging the special vulnerability of the child patient.
