Should Derek Be Classified As A Mature Minor?

To be able to determine the answer to the ethical question posed by the neurosurgeon, I would need to have additional conversations with both Derek and his family. I would use these discussions to determine if Derek could be classified as a mature minor. If not, I would shift my focus to Derek’s parents to determine if they have his best interest in mind and if their decisions would directly harm their son.
If, after a discussion with Derek, I was to learn that he was fully aware of the possible risk and benefits of the surgery without the use of blood products and his possibilities of using alternative treatments, including Hospice, my recommendation would be to treat him as a mature minor and respect his decision. I would then recommend …show more content…
Many health care providers have their own sense of spirituality or religion. If these ideals match those of the patient, there is no reason a physician cannot use this to better connect with the patient over a shared level of values, especially when it comes to making medical decisions. But when these beliefs do not line up with those of the patient’s, it makes it more difficult for health care providers to relate to and understand the decisions patients make as a result of their religious beliefs. When a health care provider does not accept or condone a patient’s religious beliefs, one of the best ways to show a patient that a health care provider respect these beliefs are by not being ignorant about his/her religion and to be sensitive about the topic. This is even more important when health care professionals are potentially accusing them of being bad parents that do not have their child’s best interest as heart. As a health care provider it is import to know and understand that there are many different religious beliefs and it is not their place to diminish or depreciate the patient’s beliefs. The provider should actively attempt to better understand their patient’s beliefs and not immediately disregard them. That does not mean that a health care provider should abandon his or her own moral ethics and values to cater to the patient. But, through a deeper understanding of the reasons behind the parient’s/family’s decision, health care providers can better counsel the family. In a case where a parent is making a decision for a child, any religious beliefs that would not be in the best interest of the child should not be allowed. But this should be explained to the parents in a way that is respectful and does not offend the parents. In the end the physicians must do what it is best for the child. But this does not mean the physician cannot try and figure out different ways that the patient’s religion