title: Parental preference or child well-being: an ethical dilemma.
abstract: An ethical dilemma that is not uncommon to encounter when caring for children occurs when parental preference does not appear to be in the child's best interest. Challenges facing the health care team are further amplified when the family's cultural background does not match that of the team. A case study will be used to illustrate the challenges of a pediatric palliative care ethical dilemma further complicated by cultural diversity. Review of the child's medical condition, patient/parent preferences, quality of life, and contextual features will be followed by an analysis and recommendations for resolution of this challenging situation.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Pain Management Center, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. turnerh@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Helen N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D001213:Asian / Q000208:ethnology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002651:Child Advocacy / Q000941:ethics*; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000941:ethics; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D026689:Ethical Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000941:ethics* / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000941:ethics; D028662:Principle-Based Ethics; D016715:Proteus Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing; D011788:Quality of Life