Question

"You are on placement in the children’s haematology/oncology ward at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia. During your placement, you have enjoyed caring for a 15-year-old male called ‘Abdul’. Abdul is well-known to staff because he had previously been diagnosed with a rare malignant blood condition. He is well liked by staff, and he is considered mature for his age. Abdul is back in hospital after recent tests showed a re-emergence of his condition. Abdul attends the hospital with his parents, and the paediatric oncologist has recommended a new treatment that has just become available. After meeting with the paediatric oncologist, Abdul initiates a conversation with you while his parents are out. Abdul reports that his parents are refusing to let him receive the treatment, saying the risks are too high. But Abdul says to you, ‘I know the risks, I want to do this, it’s my best chance of a cure’"

What are the ethial/legal issues in this case study

Answer 1

• Ethical issues related to the patient’s personality, religion, culture, socioeconomic status, personal, and family life.
• When to withdraw treatment is an important ethical issue.
• End of life issues like euthanasia are ethical concerns
• Withdrawal from active treatment.
• Risk or benefit ratio is an important concern.
• Patients who participate in clinical trials may need to undergo research procedures as well as additional clinic visits. These are all burdensome, particularly for patients who are sick.
• Fair subject selection
• Conflict of interest