A man refuses treatment for a potentially life-threatening condition. What are the ethical issues involved?

When answering an ethical dilema such as this one, you must always follow the four key principles of medical ethics: autonomy, non-maleficence, justice and beneficience. 

Autonomy (A) = this forms the basis for "informed consent". That is that a competent adult (or young person potentially) has the right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare.

Non-malefience (NM)= Do no harm. Obligation to do no harm intentionally. 

Justice (J) = Moral question of healthcare equality. Fair distribution of resources, competing needs, rights and obligations.

Beneficence (B) = Welfare of patient should always be first priority.

Now it is easy to see how you could answer this interview question:

A = If the "man" in question is competent and fully informed of his options then he has the right to decide to refuse treatment.

NM = Could treatment do more harm than good?

J = Is it fair for him to refuse treatment? Does he have a family?

B = Must act in the patients best interests. In this case, the role of the doctor would be to advise treatment in the strongest way possible.

DW
Answered by Daniel W. Medical School Preparation tutor

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