SCCM Resource Library-Families Are Often Adversaries, Putting Personal Needs Above the Child's Best Interests

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this session, Dr. Erin Pickett discusses the role of families in medical decision-making for critically ill children. She presents two cases that highlight situations where families may be seen as adversaries rather than collaborators with the clinical team. The first case involves a young infant with severe injuries whose parents are suspected of causing the harm. Despite concerns from the medical team, the parents choose to pursue aggressive treatment. The second case involves a 21-year-old with complex medical needs whose mother insists on caring for him at home, against the recommendation of the medical team. Dr. Pickett explores different decision-making standards, such as the best interest standard and the relational potential standard, and emphasizes the importance of including parents' perspectives and values in decision-making. She also acknowledges the potential for bias and suggests ways for clinical teams to address conflicts and moral distress. Ultimately, she argues that parents should not be excluded from decision-making, even in difficult cases.

Asset Subtitle

Ethics End of Life, Pediatrics, Patient and Family Support, 2022

Asset Caption

Children with medical complexity have an increased risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes related to multiple comorbidities, the complicated nature of their care, and frequent interactions with the healthcare system. Parents of these children are often the strongest advocates for their medical care. However, sometimes the parents' desires are in direct conflict with the medical team's opinion with respect to medical interventions required, meaningful and purposeful outcomes, quality of life, and end-of-life decisions. This session will discuss the challenges when parents and the medical team disagree on a patient's best interests.

Meta Tag

Content Type Presentation

Knowledge Area Ethics End of Life

Knowledge Area Pediatrics

Knowledge Area Patient and Family Support

Knowledge Level Intermediate

Knowledge Level Advanced

Membership Level Select

Tag Medical Legal Issues

Tag Pediatrics

Year 2022

Keywords

families

medical decision-making

critically ill children

adversaries

collaborators

clinical team

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