Question

Ethical Dilemma of Dax Cowart

In 1973, Dax Cowart was involved in an accident and suffered the loss of both hands, eyes, and ears, and two-thirds of his skin area. The accident also killed his father. Dax spent 232 days hospitalized in a burn unit, followed by another 6 months at other post-acute settings. Throughout his ordeal, he repeatedly insisted that treatment be discontinued and that he be allowed to die. You are to research the story of Dax Cowart and respond to the following questions:

• Briefly describe Dax’s case and his beliefs.
• Did Dax have the moral or the legal right to refuse care?
• Was Dax competent to make a decision?
• Were the physicians paternalistic?
• Were there any violations of the 7 universal principles of ethics? If so, what were they and how were they exhibited?
• Should the mother have been allowed to make the decisions for her son, in view of having just lost her husband? Why or why not?
• What are Dax’s beliefs in recent years?

The paper should be at least 3-4 typed, double spaced pages. College-level writing using APA formatting is expected. A cover page and reference page, with at least 3 scholarly references, is required. The title page and reference page do not count for the 3-4 pages of content.

Answer 1

1. Dax Coward was a normal individual who lived a normal life until the year 1973 when he met with an accident. There was an explosion in his car following which he lost many vital parts of his body post-accident such as eye, ear, and parts of his limbs with skin. The fact that he was hospitalized in a burn unit for more than 200 days states the excruciating pain he must have gone through on a physical aspect. The prognosis of his condition was never improving as he had multiple injuries throughout the body. Quality of life experienced by Dax following the accident is extremely pathetic that must have emotionally got him down making him think to end life.
2. A patient has the right to refuse treatment when he is going through severe excruciating pain which is correct in this case here.
3. Yes, Dax was competent as he was able to think rationally and express his decision on whether to continue or quit treatment.
4. Yes, the doctors were extremely paternalistic. There are two kinds of paternalism such as hard and soft. Doctors used the hard paternalism one by forcefully treating Dax for 10 long months.