RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Fatal fetal paternalism
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 396
OP 397
DO 10.1136/medethics-2012-100542
VO 38
IS 7
A1 Dominic Wilkinson
YR 2012
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/38/7/396.abstract
AB Heuser and colleagues' survey of obstetricians provides a valuable insight into the current management of severe fetal anomalies in the United States. Their survey reveals two striking features - that counselling for these anomalies is far from neutral, and that there is significant variability between clinicians in their approach to management. In this commentary I outline the reasons to be concerned about both of these. Directiveness in counselling arguably represents a form of paternalism, and the evident variability in practice is likely the result of physician personal values. However, Heuser's survey may, by shining a light on practice, provide an important step towards a more consistent approach.