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Bart A, Hall GA, Gillam L. Gillick competence: an inadequate guide to the ethics of involving adolescents in decision-making. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2024; 50:157-162. [PMID: 37169548 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2023-108930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Developmentally, adolescence sits in transition between childhood and adulthood. Involving adolescents in their medical decision-making prompts important and complex ethical questions. Originating in the UK, the concept of Gillick competence is a dominant framework for navigating adolescent medical decision-making from legal, ethical and clinical perspectives and is commonly treated as comprehensive. In this paper, we argue that its utility is far more limited, and hence over-reliance on Gillick risks undermining rather than promoting ethically appropriate adolescent involvement. We demonstrate that Gillick only provides guidance in the limited range of cases where legal decisional authority needs to be clarified. The range of cases where use of Gillick actually promotes adolescent involvement is narrower still, because several features must be present for Gillick to be enacted. Each of these features can, and do, act as barriers to adolescent involvement. Within these limited situations, we argue that Gillick is not specific or strong enough and is reliant on ethically contestable principles. Moreover, in most situations in adolescent healthcare, Gillick is silent on the ethical questions around involving adolescents. This is because it focuses on decisional authority-having the final say in decision-making-which is one small subset of the many ways adolescents could be involved in decision-making. The implication of our analysis is that use of Gillick competence tends to limit or undermine adolescent involvement opportunities. We propose that those working with adolescents should be judicious in seeking Gillick's guidance, instead drawing on and developing alternative frameworks that provide a comprehensive model for adolescent involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avraham Bart
- Children's Bioethics Centre, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Georgina Antonia Hall
- Children's Bioethics Centre, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lynn Gillam
- Children's Bioethics Centre, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Durmaz N, Ulukol B, Şahinoğlu S. Perceptions of pediatric residents and pediatricians about ethical dilemmas: The case of Turkey. Arch Pediatr 2023; 30:537-543. [PMID: 37714736 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2023.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study determined the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of pediatricians and pediatric residents regarding issues of ethics, professional education, clinical ethical principles, and consent they encounter in health service delivery. METHODS Participants in the study were 134 pediatricians and pediatric residents from three hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. Participants were asked questions regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, their knowledge and views of ethics and ethical education, whether they had ever encountered an ethical problem, their beliefs about obtaining consent from pediatric patients and their families, and case-based questions. All data were collected and evaluated. RESULTS Of the participants in the study, 82 (61.2%) were residents, 41 (30.6%) were pediatricians, and 11 (8.2%) were faculty lecturers. The data revealed that 10% of the pediatricians and pediatric residents received ethical education, apart from medical ethics/deontology education at medical school, and 90.3% required further education on children and ethical problems. It was determined that 89% of residents and 78% of pediatricians needed help with the ethical problems they encountered during the diagnostic and treatment processes. Overall, 65.7% of the participants stated that the ethical problems they encountered affected the efficiency of health service delivery. It was observed that residents were more affected by ethical issues than pediatricians were. The present study revealed that pediatric residents and pediatricians need ethics education and there is a need to establish ethics counseling centers in hospitals. There is also a need for further studies in pediatrics and ethics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihal Durmaz
- Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Betül Ulukol
- Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Zhong Y, Cavolo A, Labarque V, Gastmans C. Physicians' attitudes and experiences about withholding/withdrawing life-sustaining treatments in pediatrics: a systematic review of quantitative evidence. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:145. [PMID: 37773128 PMCID: PMC10540364 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01260-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the most important and ethically challenging decisions made for children with life-limiting conditions is withholding/withdrawing life-sustaining treatments (LST). As important (co-)decision-makers in this process, physicians are expected to have deeply and broadly developed views. However, their attitudes and experiences in this area remain difficult to understand because of the diversity of the studies. Hence, the aim of this paper is to describe physicians' attitudes and experiences about withholding/withdrawing LST in pediatrics and to identify the influencing factors. METHODS We systematically searched Pubmed, Cinahl®, Embase®, Scopus®, and Web of Science™ in early 2021 and updated the search results in late 2021. Eligible articles were published in English, reported on investigations of physicians' attitudes and experiences about withholding/withdrawing LST for children, and were quantitative. RESULTS In 23 included articles, overall, physicians stated that withholding/withdrawing LST can be ethically legitimate for children with life-limiting conditions. Physicians tended to follow parents' and parents-patient's wishes about withholding/withdrawing or continuing LST when they specified treatment preferences. Although most physicians agreed to share decision-making with parents and/or children, they nonetheless reported experiencing both negative and positive feelings during the decision-making process. Moderating factors were identified, including barriers to and facilitators of withholding/withdrawing LST. In general, there was only a limited number of quantitative studies to support the hypothesis that some factors can influence physicians' attitudes and experiences toward LST. CONCLUSION Overall, physicians agreed to withhold/withdraw LST in dying patients, followed parent-patients' wishes, and involved them in decision-making. Barriers and facilitators relevant to the decision-making regarding withholding/withdrawing LST were identified. Future studies should explore children's involvement in decision-making and consider barriers that hinder implementation of decisions about withholding/withdrawing LST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Zhong
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Block D, box 7001, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
| | - Alice Cavolo
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Block D, box 7001, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Veerle Labarque
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven/UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Chris Gastmans
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Block D, box 7001, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
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Benedetti DJ, Marron JM, Thomas SM, Brown AEC, Pyke-Grimm KA, Johnson LM, Unguru Y, Kodish E. The role of ethicists in pediatric hematology/oncology: Current status and future needs. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30132. [PMID: 36495529 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
As pediatric hematology/oncology (PHO) becomes more complex and sub-subspecialized, dedicated PHO ethicists have emerged as sub-subspecialists focused on addressing ethical issues encountered in clinical and research practices. PHO physicians and other clinicians with advanced training in bioethics contribute to the field through ethics research, education, and ethics consultation services. Furthermore, there exists a newer generation of PHO trainees interested in bioethics. This review details the experiences of current PHO ethicists, providing a blueprint for future educational, research and service activities to strengthen the trajectory of the burgeoning sub-subspecialty of PHO ethics. Creating an American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) ethics Special Interest Group, enhancing clinical ethics education for pediatric hematologists/oncologists (PHOs), developing multi-institutional research collaborations, and increasing attention to ethical issues germane to nonmalignant hematology will serve the interests of the entire field of PHO, enhancing the care of PHO patients and careers of PHOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Benedetti
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jonathan M Marron
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, and Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stefanie M Thomas
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Cleveland Clinic Children's, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Amy E Caruso Brown
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Center for Bioethics and Humanities, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Kimberly A Pyke-Grimm
- Department of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Stanford Children's Health and Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Liza-Marie Johnson
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yoram Unguru
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, The Herman and Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Johns Hopkins University Berman Institute of Bioethics, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Eric Kodish
- Departments of Pediatrics, Oncology, and Bioethics, Cleveland Clinic Children's and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Benedetti DJ, Hammack-Aviran CM, Diehl C, Beskow LM. Landscape of pediatric cancer treatment refusal and abandonment in the US: A qualitative study. Front Pediatr 2023; 10:1049661. [PMID: 36699305 PMCID: PMC9869139 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1049661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To describe United States (US) pediatric oncologists' experiences with treatment refusal or abandonment, exploring types and frequency of decision-making conflicts, and their impact. Study design We conducted exploratory qualitative interviews of pediatric oncologists (n = 30) with experience caring for a pediatric patient who refused or abandoned curative treatment. Interviewees were recruited using convenience and nominated expert sampling, soliciting experiences from diverse geographic locations and institution sizes across the US. We analyzed transcripts using applied thematic analysis to identify and refine meaningful domains. Results Many oncologists reported multiple experiences with refusal and abandonment. Most anticipated case frequency would increase due to misinformation, particularly on the internet. Interviewees described cases of treatment refusal and abandonment, but also a wider variety of cases than previously described in existing publications, including cases involving: non-adherence; negotiations for different treatments; negotiations for complementary and alternative medicine; delayed treatment initiation; and refusal of a component of recommended therapy. Cases often involved multiple stages or types of conflicts. Recurring patient/family behaviors emerged: clear opposition to treatment from the outset; hesitancy about treatment despite initiating therapy; and psychosocial circumstances becoming an obstacle to treatment completion. Oncologists revealed substantial professional and personal repercussions of these cases. Conclusion Oncologist interviews highlight a broad range of conflicts, yielding a taxonomy of treatment refusal, non-adherence and abandonment (TRNA) that accounts for the heterogeneity of situations described. Cases' complexity and interrelatedness points to a functional model of TRNA that includes families' behaviors. This preliminary taxonomy and model warrant further research and examination to refine the model and generate strategies to prevent and mitigate TRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Benedetti
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Catherine M. Hammack-Aviran
- Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Carolyn Diehl
- Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Laura M. Beskow
- Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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Zhong Y, Cavolo A, Labarque V, Gastmans C. Physician decision-making process about withholding/withdrawing life-sustaining treatments in paediatric patients: a systematic review of qualitative evidence. BMC Palliat Care 2022; 21:113. [PMID: 35751075 PMCID: PMC9229823 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-022-01003-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With paediatric patients, deciding whether to withhold/withdraw life-sustaining treatments (LST) at the end of life is difficult and ethically sensitive. Little is understood about how and why physicians decide on withholding/withdrawing LST at the end of life in paediatric patients. In this study, we aimed to synthesise results from the literature on physicians’ perceptions about decision-making when dealing with withholding/withdrawing life-sustaining treatments in paediatric patients. Methods We conducted a systematic review of empirical qualitative studies. Five electronic databases (Pubmed, Cinahl®, Embase®, Scopus®, Web of Science™) were exhaustively searched in order to identify articles published in English from inception through March 17, 2021. Analysis and synthesis were guided by the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven. Results Thirty publications met our criteria and were included for analysis. Overall, we found that physicians agreed to involve parents, and to a lesser extent, children in the decision-making process about withholding/withdrawing LST. Our analysis to identify conceptual schemes revealed that physicians divided their decision-making into three stages: (1) early preparation via advance care planning, (2) information giving and receiving, and (3) arriving at the final decision. Physicians considered advocating for the best interests of the child and of the parents as their major focus. We also identified moderating factors of decision-making, such as facilitators and barriers, specifically those related to physicians and parents that influenced physicians’ decision-making. Conclusions By focusing on stakeholders, structure of the decision-making process, ethical values, and influencing factors, our analysis showed that physicians generally agreed to share the decision-making with parents and the child, especially for adolescents. Further research is required to better understand how to minimise the negative impact of barriers on the decision-making process (e.g., difficult involvement of children, lack of paediatric palliative care expertise, conflict with parents). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-022-01003-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Zhong
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, block D, box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Alice Cavolo
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, block D, box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Labarque
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven/UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chris Gastmans
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, block D, box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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7
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Barsky EE, Berbert LM, Dahlberg SE, Truog RD. Attitudes towards involving children in decision-making surrounding lung transplantation. Pediatr Pulmonol 2021; 56:1534-1542. [PMID: 33586869 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.25321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical care has shifted from a paternalistic model towards one centered around patient autonomy and shared decision-making (SDM), yet the role of the pediatric patient in decision-making is unclear. Studies suggest that many children with chronic disease are capable of making medical decisions at a young age, yet no standardized approaches have been developed for involving children in these decisions. METHODS This is a single-center survey study investigating the attitudes of pediatric pulmonologists towards involvement of children in decisions regarding lung transplantation, utilizing a hypothetical case scenario with systematic manipulation of age and maturity level. We evaluated physician belief regarding ultimate decision-making authority, reconciliation of parent-child discordance, and utility of ethics and psychiatry consultation services. RESULTS The majority of pediatric pulmonologists at this center believe decision-making authority rests with the parents. The effects of age and maturity are unclear. In instances of parent-child disagreement, physicians are more likely to try to convince parents to defer to the child if the child is both older and more mature. Physicians are divided on the utility of ethics and psychiatry consultations. CONCLUSION Involvement of children with cystic fibrosis in SDM is broadly supported but inconsistently implemented. Despite evidence that children with chronic disease may have decisional capacity at a young age, the majority of physicians still grant decisional authority to parents. There are numerous barriers to involving children in decisions, including legal considerations. The role of age and maturity level in influencing these decisions appears small and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Barsky
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Laura M Berbert
- Biostatistics and Research Design Center of the Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Suzanne E Dahlberg
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Research Design Center of the Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert D Truog
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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8
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Sen RD, Lee A, Browd SR, Ellenbogen RG, Hauptman JS. Issues of consent and assent in pediatric neurosurgery. Childs Nerv Syst 2021; 37:33-37. [PMID: 33068156 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-020-04907-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consent and assent are important concepts to understand in the care of pediatric neurosurgery patients. Recently it has been recommended that although pediatric patients generally do not have the legal capacity to make medical decisions, they be encouraged to be involved in their own care. Given the paucity of information on this topic in the neurosurgery community, the objective is to provide pediatric neurosurgeons with recommendations on how to involve their patients in medical decision-making. METHODS We review the essential elements and current guidelines of consent and assent for pediatric patients using illustrative neurosurgical case vignettes. RESULTS The pediatric population ranges widely in cognitive and psychological development making the process of consent and assent quite complex. The role of the child or adolescent in medical decision-making, issues associated with obtaining assent or dissent, and informed refusal of treatment are considered. CONCLUSION The process of obtaining consent and assent represents a critical yet often overlooked aspect to care of pediatric neurosurgical patients. The pediatric neurosurgeon must be able to distill immensely complex and high-risk procedures into simple, understandable terms. Furthermore, they must recognize when the child's dissent or refusal to treatment is acceptable. In general, allowing children to be involved in their neurosurgical care is empowering and gives them both identity and agency, which is the vital first step to a successful neurosurgical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev D Sen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
| | - Amy Lee
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Samuel R Browd
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Richard G Ellenbogen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jason S Hauptman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
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Fenton ATHR, Eun TJ, Clark JA, Perkins RB. Calling the Shots? Adolescents' Influence on Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Decision-Making During Clinical Encounters. J Adolesc Health 2020; 66:447-454. [PMID: 31974012 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the study was to examine adolescents' influence on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine decision-making and receipt during clinical visits. METHODS We recruited English- and/or Spanish-speaking parents and their adolescent children aged 9-17 years who were eligible for the first HPV vaccine dose and seeking routine care at pediatric and family medicine clinics in the Greater Boston area enrolled in a multilevel intervention to improve HPV vaccination coverage. Parents completed previsit surveys that included parental intention to vaccinate. We coded transcripts of adolescents' clinical encounters to define adolescents' participation in vaccine discussions and cooperation with immunization. Adolescents' influence on vaccine decision-making was determined based on analyses of their participation in discussions and parents' previsit vaccine intentions. RESULTS A total of 113 adolescents and their parents participated. Eighty-seven percent of adolescents received their first HPV vaccine dose during the visit. Most reactions were negative (23% mild, 23% moderate, and 10% extreme); nearly all objections were concerns related to the pain of injection rather than specific to HPV vaccination. A minority of reactions were positive (12%), 33% were neutral, and 12% did not participate in vaccine discussions. All adolescents with positive or neutral reactions received vaccination, as did 91% of those with negative reactions. After accounting for parents' previsit vaccine intentions and analyzing discussions during clinical encounters, only 5% of adolescents appeared to influence vaccination either positively (n = 3) or negatively (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS In this study, adolescents rarely influenced parents' vaccine decision-making, although many exhibited distress over the pain of injections. This suggests that increasing adolescents' involvement in vaccine discussions may have limited effects on vaccination rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anny T H R Fenton
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Center for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Portland, Maine; Department of Sociology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | - Terresa J Eun
- Department of Sociology, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jack A Clark
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rebecca B Perkins
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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Barone S, Unguru Y. Ethical Issues Around Pediatric Death: Navigating Consent, Assent, and Disagreement Regarding Life-Sustaining Medical Treatment. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2018; 27:539-550. [PMID: 30219216 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Decisions regarding whether or not to pursue experimental therapies or life-sustaining medical treatment of children with life-limiting illness can be a significant source of distress and conflict for both families and health care providers. This article reviews the concepts of parental permission (consent), assent, and emerging capacity and how they relate to decision-making for minors with serious illness. Decision-making capacity for adolescents is discussed generally and in the context of emotionally charged situations pertaining to the end of life. Strategies for minimizing conflict in situations of disagreement between children and families are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Barone
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University Berman Institute of Bioethics, 200 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Yoram Unguru
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, The Herman and Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai, 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215, USA; Johns Hopkins University Berman Institute of Bioethics, 1809 Ashland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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11
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Willig L, Paquette E, Hester DM, Warady BA, Lantos JD. Parents Refusing Dialysis for a 3-Month-Old With Renal Failure. Pediatrics 2018; 141:peds.2017-2096. [PMID: 29490907 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-2096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A 3-month-old boy with failure to thrive was referred to a nephrology clinic after a diagnostic workup for failure to thrive revealed a serum urea nitrogen level of 95 mg/dL and creatinine level of 3.6 mg/dL. A renal ultrasound revealed marked bilateral hydronephrosis with little remaining renal cortex in either kidney. A voiding cystourethrogram revealed evidence of posterior urethral valves. The child had no evident comorbidities. Fulguration of the valves was successfully performed but did not lead to improvement in kidney function. The nephrologists recommended the initiation of dialysis with the hope that the child would be able to receive a kidney transplant in the future. After careful consideration, the family stated that they did not want this child to suffer with a lifetime of dialysis and transplant care. They were also concerned about the impact of this child's illness on their other 2 children and their family. They requested that their son be provided with palliative care only. Experts in nephrology, bioethics, and critical care discuss the ethical issues raised by this parental request.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin Paquette
- Division of Critical Care, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois; and
| | - D Micah Hester
- Division of Medical Humanities, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | | | - John D Lantos
- Children's Mercy Bioethics Center, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri;
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12
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Popejoy E, Pollock K, Almack K, Manning JC, Johnston B. Decision-making and future planning for children with life-limiting conditions: a qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis. Child Care Health Dev 2017; 43:627-644. [PMID: 28402040 DOI: 10.1111/cch.12461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last decade, the number of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in England has almost doubled, and it is estimated that worldwide, there are 1.2 million children with palliative care needs. Families and professionals caring for children with life-limiting conditions are likely to face a number of difficult treatment decisions and develop plans for future care over the course of the child's life, but little is known about the process by which these decisions and plans are made. METHODS The purpose of this review is to synthesize findings from qualitative research that has investigated decision-making and future planning for children with life-limiting conditions. A systematic search of six online databases was conducted and identified 887 papers for review; five papers were selected for inclusion, using predefined criteria. Reference list searching and contacting authors identified a further four papers for inclusion. RESULTS Results sections of the papers were coded and synthesized into themes. Nineteen descriptive themes were identified, and these were further synthesized into four analytical themes. Analytical themes were 'decision factors', 'family factors', 'relational factors' and 'system factors'. CONCLUSIONS Review findings indicate that decision-making and future planning is difficult and needs to be individualized for each family. However, deficits in understanding the dynamic, relational and contextual aspects of decision-making remain and require further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Popejoy
- University of Nottingham School of Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - K Pollock
- Nottingham Children's Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - K Almack
- University of Nottingham School of Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - J C Manning
- University of Nottingham School of Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - B Johnston
- University of Glasgow School of Medicine, Glasgow, UK
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13
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Unguru Y. Comment on: Contributing factors and outcomes of treatment refusal in pediatric oncology in Germany. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2017; 64:395. [PMID: 27569729 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 07/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoram Unguru
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, The Herman and Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai, Baltimore, Maryland.,Johns Hopkins University, Berman Institute of Bioethics, Baltimore, Maryland
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Day E, Jones L, Langner R, Bluebond-Langner M. Current understanding of decision-making in adolescents with cancer: A narrative systematic review. Palliat Med 2016; 30:920-934. [PMID: 27160700 PMCID: PMC5117127 DOI: 10.1177/0269216316648072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Policy guidance and bioethical literature urge the involvement of adolescents in decisions about their healthcare. It is uncertain how roles and expectations of adolescents, parents and healthcare professionals influence decision-making and to what extent this is considered in guidance. AIMS To identify recent empirical research on decision-making regarding care and treatment in adolescent cancer: (1) to synthesise evidence to define the role of adolescents, parents and healthcare professionals in the decision-making process and (2) to identify gaps in research. DESIGN A narrative systematic review of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research. We adopted a textual approach to synthesis, using a theoretical framework of interactionism to interpret findings. DATA SOURCES The databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, EMBASE and CINHAL were searched from 2001 through May 2015 for publications on decision-making for adolescents (13-19 years) with cancer. RESULTS Twenty-eight articles were identified. Adolescents and parents initially find it difficult to participate in decision-making due to a lack of options in the face of protocol-driven care. Parent and adolescent preferences for information and response to loss of control vary between individuals and over time. No studies indicate parental or adolescent preference for a high degree of independence in decision-making. CONCLUSION Striving to make parents and adolescents fully informed or urge them towards more independence than they prefer may add to distress and confusion. This may interfere with their ability to participate in their preferred way in decisions about care and treatment. Future research should include analysis of on-ground interactions among parents, adolescents and clinicians across the trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Day
- Louis Dundas Centre for Children's Palliative Care, Institute of Child Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Louise Jones
- Division of Psychiatry, Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Richard Langner
- Louis Dundas Centre for Children's Palliative Care, Institute of Child Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Myra Bluebond-Langner
- Louis Dundas Centre for Children's Palliative Care, Institute of Child Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
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Jeremic V, Sénécal K, Borry P, Chokoshvili D, Vears DF. Participation of Children in Medical Decision-Making: Challenges and Potential Solutions. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2016; 13:525-534. [PMID: 27654498 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-016-9747-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Participation in healthcare decision-making is considered to be an important right of minors, and is highlighted in both international legislation and public policies. However, despite the legal recognition of children's rights to participation, and also the benefits that children experience by their involvement, there is evidence that legislation is not always translated into healthcare practice. There are a number of factors that may impact on the ability of the child to be involved in decisions regarding their medical care. Some of these factors relate to the child, including their capacity to be actively involved in these decisions. Others relate to the family situation, sociocultural context, or the underlying beliefs and practices of the healthcare provider involved. In spite of these challenges to including children in decisions regarding their clinical care, we argue that it is an important factor in their treatment. The extent to which children should participate in this process should be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking all of the potential barriers into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Jeremic
- School of Medicine of University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia.
| | - Karine Sénécal
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 740, avenue Dr. Penfield, #5202, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 0G1
| | - Pascal Borry
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care Faculty of Medicine, Leuven University, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Davit Chokoshvili
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care Faculty of Medicine, Leuven University, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Danya F Vears
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care Faculty of Medicine, Leuven University, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Abstract
Informed consent should be seen as an essential part of health care practice; parental permission and childhood assent is an active process that engages patients, both adults and children, in their health care. Pediatric practice is unique in that developmental maturation allows, over time, for increasing inclusion of the child's and adolescent's opinion in medical decision-making in clinical practice and research. This technical report, which accompanies the policy statement "Informed Consent in Decision-Making in Pediatric Practice" was written to provide a broader background on the nature of informed consent, surrogate decision-making in pediatric practice, information on child and adolescent decision-making, and special issues in adolescent informed consent, assent, and refusal. It is anticipated that this information will help provide support for the recommendations included in the policy statement.
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Assessing an Adolescent's Capacity for Autonomous Decision-Making in Clinical Care. J Adolesc Health 2015; 57:361-6. [PMID: 26281798 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to provide policy guidance on how to assess the capacity of minor adolescents for autonomous decision-making without a third party authorization, in the field of clinical care. In June 2014, a two-day meeting gathered 20 professionals from all continents, working in the field of adolescent medicine, neurosciences, developmental and clinical psychology, sociology, ethics, and law. Formal presentations and discussions were based on a literature search and the participants' experience. The assessment of adolescent decision-making capacity includes the following: (1) a review of the legal context consistent with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; (2) an empathetic relationship between the adolescent and the health care professional/team; (3) the respect of the adolescent's developmental stage and capacities; (4) the inclusion, if relevant, of relatives, peers, teachers, or social and mental health providers with the adolescent's consent; (5) the control of coercion and other social forces that influence decision-making; and (6) a deliberative stepwise appraisal of the adolescent's decision-making process. This stepwise approach, already used among adults with psychiatric disorders, includes understanding the different facets of the given situation, reasoning on the involved issues, appreciating the outcomes linked with the decision(s), and expressing a choice. Contextual and psychosocial factors play pivotal roles in the assessment of adolescents' decision-making capacity. The evaluation must be guided by a well-established procedure, and health professionals should be trained accordingly. These proposals are the first to have been developed by a multicultural, multidisciplinary expert panel.
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Siembida EJ, Bellizzi KM. The Doctor–Patient Relationship in the Adolescent Cancer Setting: A Developmentally Focused Literature Review. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2015; 4:108-17. [DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2015.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J. Siembida
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Keith M. Bellizzi
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Refusal of therapy is ethically acceptable for competent adults. Practitioner opinions regarding refusal of therapy in pediatric cancer patients has not been widely studied. This is the largest survey of oncology practitioners assessing support for refusal of chemotherapy. PROCEDURE Pediatric oncology nurses/physicians were asked: "As their provider I would support refusal of chemotherapy by a family," with the following options: "Never support refusal," "Always support refusal," or "Support for refusal would depend on cure rate, age, or both." Variables assessed were: age (0 to 7, 8 to 13, 14 to 17 y) and cure rate (0% to 33%, 34% to 66%, 67% to 100%). RESULTS A total of 957 practitioners responded. Fifty-six percent, 31%, and 0.2%, respectively, stated their support of chemotherapy refusal depended on "age and cure rate," "cure rate alone," or "age alone." Two percent and 11% indicated they would "always" or "never" support refusal, respectively. For a "modest" or "good" cure rate, support for refusal was <20%, whereas for a "poor" cure rate, the majority would support a family's refusal (53% to 78% age dependent). Within each cure rate, respondents were more likely to support refusal for older patients (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The majority of practitioners surveyed viewed parental refusal of chemotherapy for children with a moderate or good expected cure rate as unacceptable, but were more accepting of refusal with a poor prognosis, especially for teenagers.
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Coleman DL, Rosoff PM. The legal authority of mature minors to consent to general medical treatment. Pediatrics 2013; 131:786-93. [PMID: 23530175 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-2470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The nature and scope of mature adolescents' legal authority to consent to general medical treatment without parental involvement is often misrepresented by commentators. This state of affairs is further complicated by the law itself, which has developed a broad "mature minor exception" to the general requirement of parental consent in abortion cases and which has additionally carved out numerous specific status-based and condition-based exceptions to that requirement. In these circumstances, it is not always a simple matter for physicians and other medical professionals who treat adolescents to ascertain the applicable law. In this article, we discuss the underlying differences between medical ethics and law, which have caused some of the confusion in this area, and we set out the most current legal rules governing adolescent decision-making authority in general medical settings. A comprehensive analysis of both statutory and common law demonstrates that in such settings, parental consent continues to be required by most jurisdictions, even when the minor can be considered cognitively "mature."
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Walter JK. Supporting Her Autonomy: The Obligations of Guardians and Physicians in Adolescents’ Refusals of Care. THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ETHICS 2012. [DOI: 10.1086/jce201223107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Abstract
Although treatment refusal is an infrequent occurrence in paediatric oncology, it is an important issue that threatens the ongoing therapeutic relationship between the health-care team and families. While there are good reasons to support the decision-making authority of parents in the medical setting, parents' rights in this respect are not absolute. Fortunately, most disagreements between clinicians and parents regarding treatment decisions for children are resolved within the health-care team/family dyad or with the objective advice of other clinicians or clinical ethics services. The increasing appeal of 'natural therapies' and unsubstantiated confidence with which they are prescribed may lead to more frequent refusal of conventional, evidence-based oncology treatment in the future. The harm principle may assist paediatric oncologists in the difficult task of determining when it is justifiable to refer a case for judicial intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela J Alessandri
- Department of Haematology/Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and the School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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Bibliography. Obstetric and gynaecological anesthesia. Current world literature. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2011; 24:354-6. [PMID: 21637164 DOI: 10.1097/aco.0b013e328347b491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Respecting adolescents' autonomy (as long as they make the right choice). J Adolesc Health 2010; 47:113-4. [PMID: 20638002 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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