RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Deciding for imperilled newborns: medical authority or parental autonomy?
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 104
OP 109
DO 10.1136/jme.27.2.104
VO 27
IS 2
A1 Hazel E McHaffie
A1 Ian A Laing
A1 Michael Parker
A1 John McMillan
YR 2001
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/27/2/104.abstract
AB The ethical issues around decision making on behalf of infants have been illuminated by two empirical research studies carried out in Scotland. In-depth interviews with 176 medical and nursing staff and with 108 parents of babies for whom there was discussion of treatment withholding/withdrawal, generated a wealth of data on both the decision making process and the management of cases. Both staff and parents believe that parents should be involved in treatment limitation decisions on behalf of their babies. However, whilst many doctors and nurses consider the ultimate responsibility too great for families to carry, the majority of parents wish to be the final arbiters. We offer explanations for the differences in perception found in the two groups. The results of these empirical studies provide both aids to ethical reflection and guidance for clinicians dealing with these vulnerable families. They demonstrate the value of empirical data in the philosophical debate.