Ethical issues in using deception to facilitate rehabilitation for a patient with severe traumatic brain injury.
J Trauma Nurs 2014;
21:186-90. [PMID:
25023843 DOI:
10.1097/jtn.0000000000000062]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To explore ethical issues in using deception to improve participation in a patient with severe traumatic brain injury who had not responded to traditional behavioral and pharmacologic approaches.
DESIGN
Case study.
PARTICIPANT
A male in inpatient neurorehabilitation with history of severe traumatic brain injury and significant behavioral disruption that limited his therapy participation.
METHODS
Behavior modification program using principles of operant conditioning that required deception.
RESULTS
Participation in therapies significantly improved and disruptive behaviors decreased.
CONCLUSION
When used cautiously and with careful consideration of the ethical implications, deception may be permissible as part of an intervention strategy with this population but only as a last resort.
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