Title |
Should a Physician Comply with a Parent’s Demands for a Forensic Exam on a 16-Year-Old Trauma Patient?
|
---|---|
Published in |
The AMA Journal of Ethic, January 2018
|
DOI | 10.1001/journalofethics.2018.20.1.ecas2-1801 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Michelle Bowdler, Hannah Kent |
Abstract |
Physicians must remain vigilant about their ethical duties to patients, especially in high-stakes situations. The question raised by this case-whether a physician should comply with a parent's demand for treatment against her underage child's wishes-is not one of life or death in which a guardian might more credibly argue her judgment should stand. Given that forcing a rape kit exam on a patient who refuses to give assent could be further traumatizing, we argue that the physician should not comply. Deciding upon a course of action in this situation will involve considering what is in the patient's best interest and what constitutes a physician's appropriate role in gathering evidence for criminal investigations. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United States | 3 | 43% |
South Africa | 1 | 14% |
Canada | 1 | 14% |
Unknown | 2 | 29% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 5 | 71% |
Scientists | 2 | 29% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 23 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Bachelor | 4 | 17% |
Researcher | 3 | 13% |
Other | 2 | 9% |
Student > Master | 2 | 9% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 1 | 4% |
Other | 2 | 9% |
Unknown | 9 | 39% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 5 | 22% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 4 | 17% |
Social Sciences | 3 | 13% |
Psychology | 1 | 4% |
Materials Science | 1 | 4% |
Other | 0 | 0% |
Unknown | 9 | 39% |