Background material by Professor Omar Hasan Kasule for Year 1 Semester 1 Med PPSD session on 15th October 2008.
TREATMENT OF ADULTS WITHOUT CONSENT
- Describe the basis for a physician treating an incompetent patient without consent (best interests /benefit of the patient, necessity).
- Describe situations in which physicians can treat patients without consent (emergencies, compulsory treatment of mental patients).
- Describe legal guidelines of consent for preventive procedures (screening, immunization).
- Describe 2 considerations in detaining or restraining patient movements (freedom to move, protection of the patient and others from harm).
- Describe the main provisions of the mental health act regarding treatment of mental patients and describe the committal procedure.
PROCESSES OF CONSENT FOR INCOMPETENT ADULTS:
- Describe the involvement / role of the family in the consent process for the incompetent
- Describe 2 ways in which a proxy decision maker can reach a decision (preferences of the patient, best interests of the patient).
- Explain how an advance statement is a form of prospective autonomy.
- Describe disadvantages of advance statements.
10. Describe the format of an advance statement.
11. List conditions in which a physician must seek a second opinion or court review if the patient in incapacitous (detention and restraint, sterilization or impairing fertility, pregnancy termination, withdrawing or withholding artificial nutrition and hydration, organ donation).