Is It Ethical to Stop the Treatment Of Anorexic Patients?
By Sakura24
@Sakura24 (175)
Philippines
August 21, 2010 9:18am CST
This is an ethical dilemma that the healthcare personnels are facing. An 18 year anorexic patient wants to stop all of her treatments. Will the doctors allow her? She is already 18 years old and she can now make a decision regarding her body. Every patient has the right to refuse treatments and diagnostic procedures is they don't want to.
On the other hand,others believed that patients who are suffering from anorexia are incompetent because they have problems with autonomy and establishment of identity.Autonomy is difficult in adolescence whose family is over protective and so they felt that they have no control over their lives. They begin to control their eating and thus gain control over their weight. Through this they felt that they are in control over their body.
Until now the question still remains: IS IT ETHICAL TO STOP THE TREATMENT OF ANOREXIC PATIENTS IF THEY ARE THE ONE REQUESTING IT? What are your views regarding this matter?
6 responses
@igorot (5)
• Philippines
20 Sep 10
It is very complicated to say if it is ethical or not. yes, the patient has the right to refuse treatment as long as they are on the legal age. I think having that kind of sickness is not sign of incompetence and it also depends on country that the patient belong. it also depends on the norms and belief of the patient. It is very useless for the doctor treating such patients if the patients are not already helping their selves. Its matter of acceptance and and to have legal documents for legality.
@igorot (5)
• Philippines
20 Sep 10
It is very complicated to say if it is ethical or not. yes, the patient has the right to refuse treatment as long as they are on the legal age. I think having that kind of sickness is not sign of incompetence and it also depends on country that the patient belong. it also depends on the norms and belief of the patient. It is very useless for the doctor treating such patients if the patients are not already helping their selves. Its matter of acceptance and and to have legal documents for legality.
@bianagrace (18)
• Philippines
17 Sep 10
Doing the right thing is what we termed as something which is ethical. So,in this case, stoppage of treatment is unethical because if you will do this, that would mean a lot of worse consequences may happen to the patient. The ultimate goal in this situation is to cure the problem and eventually,help the patient recuperate with other related problems(psychological) in the process. Helping the patient is what I perceive to be something that should be done. Remorse of conscience might enter the scene when things will get worse with regards to the patient's case.
@romina_antonio (7)
•
18 Sep 10
maybe it is. if the patient is the one requesting it, why not give them what they want? but if you are the doctor, maybe you will not. because you are expert on that field. Why would you discharge a patient who is not completely well. right? if they have that kind of disease, maybe it's better if they will stay in place where there are someone who could take care of them.it will make them safe, rather than discharging them without anyone beside them and who could give or advise to take their medicines.
@chinne (22)
• Philippines
18 Sep 10
I think it is, since the patient herself is the one who already requesting to stop it. Its her right to choose what other people will do to her, anyway its her body. But I think it is also applicable if the doctors will ask her family first, then her family will be the one who will talk to her and convince her if ever. If she really wants to stop such treatments because of some reasons, maybe her family can now decide on what to do. Anyway, its her family, they must understand her. In that case, it is ethical since they all agree to do it.
•
20 Sep 10
It is clearly stated that the patient herself is incapacitated of her thinking and this leads to a worse decision making about herself. Since this is the main focus here, the doctors cannot allow the proposal of the patient to happen, even though it is her right to do so. If the patient is in a worse condition, the decision must be put onto the hands of her parents, if none, guardians. Furthermore, what's the use of bringing her into the hospital if the doctors follow her and don't give necessary medications? There really are cases like this and making decision with regard to such should be dealt with appropriate conditions of the patient, as well as to her family.
