Category / Case Studies / Medical Ethics and Policy Guidance / Pediatrics
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![Child playing on a swing.]()
Case Study: When Vaccination Status Leads to Conflict
Bioethics case study on parents reacting defensively when doctors ask about the child’s vaccination status. Physicians question their response to anti-vax parents. Published by the Center for Practical Bioethics.
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![One bird figurine is rejecting the other bird figurine.]()
Case Study: COPD Patient Rejects Science on Smoking
Bioethics case study on patients rejecting science. Bonnie, the patient, stated that she does not believe smoking causes health problems, noting that her father was a lifelong smoker who smoked until the day he died at the age of 94, without any apparent smoking-related illnesses. The medical team is uncertain how to proceed with treatment, and an ethics consult has been requested. Center for Practical Bioethics
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![A caring doctor-patient moment. The doctor is setting their hand on the patient's hand.]()
Case Study – Doctor-Patient Relationships: When Is It Ethically Acceptable to End Them?
Bioethics case study on doctor-patient relationships in VIDEO and PRINT. This case study in clinical ethics discusses when it is acceptable to end a doctor-patient relationship. Published by the Center for Practical Bioethics.
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![Man holding his head in pain.]()
Case Study: Behavioral Issues Lead to Challenging Discharge
Bioethics case study on Mr. Ankeal with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and multiple other chronic conditions, including chronic pain has been hospitalized. He has been moving between outpatient dialysis centers for several months due to repeated behavioral issues. The hospital care team has been unable to find an outpatient dialysis clinic willing to accept him due to his documented behavioral history. Published by the Center for Practical Bioethics.
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![A calculator with money and a hospital room in the background.]()
Case Study – Without the Large Profit Margin, Katy Could Easily Afford Her Medication
Case Study – Without the Large Profit Margin, Katy Could Easily Afford Her Medication. Bioethics case study on Patient/Physician Relationship.
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![A woman's face showing stress.]()
Case Study – Moral Culpability for Respecting Patients’ Autonomy
This patient has a long history of IV drug abuse but communicates to the health team that his recent hospitalization has brought some clarity in that regard, and he vows to “give up doing drugs.”
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![ICU monitor.]()
Case Study –Too little, too late… almost
Angelie is tired and losing motivation. She feels hopeless and is struggling to find the passion that led her to the nursing profession in the first place. She ponders quitting, doing something else with less stress, whether or not the pay is better.
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Case Study – Trying to Honor Johnny’s Wishes
“I know I’m not doing well and that my time here is limited. So, I want you to promise me that you’ll keep me alive long enough to touch my oldest daughter’s hand and say goodbye.” Carson shakes his hand, with every intention to keep this promise.
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![Nurse looking distressed.]()
Case Study – Moral Dimensions of Medical Negligence
I should have been paying more attention. Should have insisted on either helping Lyle or finding a CNA to do so. I feel so bad. If Lyle doesn’t recover, if he dies . . . . Oh, my God. Did I kill him?” John is distraught.
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![Person holding up their hand to the camera with the word "no" written on it.]()
Case Study – It’s been prescribed. She won’t take it. The Ethics of Non-Adherence
. . .her PCP notes that Peggy was prescribed blood pressure medication several years ago, which she has not been taking despite her family’s constant pleas.
