Tough calls: making ethical decisions in the care of older patients.
Medicine is a moral endeavor concerned with the good of treating those who are ill. An ethical decision is the justifiable response to a "should" question, with consequences of good or harm. Three conditions are necessary for a patient to share in making an ethical decision: competence, voluntariness, and knowledge related to the condition of illness. In cases of incapacity, either the standard of substitute judgment or of best interest may be applied. Ideally, an ethical decision is a shared decision between providers and patients. In cases of conflict, continuing communication and dialogue are morally superior to the use of power.
Bandman
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Hunter College, City University of New York.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D026689:Ethical Analysis; D028663:Ethical Theory; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000592:standards*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D010358:Patient Participation; D012945:Social Values