Lecture 8 - Ethics

Question 1

What are problems with requests for treatments?

Answer 1

• doctor needs to weigh up benefits vs side effects before offering treatment
• also need to think about cost
• patient may ask for treatment, but if doctor comes to conclusion to deny it
• also doctors need to use resources wiesly

Question 2

Futile treatment

Answer 2

• treatment that will not benefit the patient, even though they want it
  e. g antibitoics to a patient iwth a viral infection
• need to understand the desired end of treatment;.
• can often have disputes between doctors and pateints

Question 3

Quantatitive futility 1
QUantitative futilitu 2
Qualitative futility

Answer 3

1 - absolutly 0 risk of improvement (however maybe placebo effect?)

2. treatments haev a low probabolity of benefiting patient
3. Treatments haev a fair probablity of improving, howveer very small and other side effects overrule the benefits of it.

Question 4

What is role of dcotor and patiet

2 sides

Answer 4

1. -Patient has the right to decide weather or not they recieve a treatment
   - the doctor needs to office advice on treatment so patient is fully informend
2. doctor is entitled to refuse to give treatment they belive is unethical. they are trained to make assessments weather a treatment is worthwhile, and they are usnder theraputic obligation. unjustibfibale to give tremanetn where there is no change of improvemnet.

Question 5

What are questions to ask when deciding?

Answer 5

• what level of futility is the issue at?
• what are risks
• oter options
• how serious is teh condition
• costs
• potential costs to patient-doctor relationship with doing this