Editor’s Note: This column presents a problematic case that poses a medical-ethical dilemma for patients, families, and healthcare professionals.  As it is based on a real situation, some details have been changed in the effort to maintain confidentiality.  In this case, the medical community is unaware of the treatment plan recommended by a foreign physician.

Editor’s Note: This column presents a problematic case that poses a medical-ethical dilemma for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. As it is based on a real case, some details have been changed in the effort to maintain patient confidentiality. The intent of this presentation is to offer ethical analysis and medical recommendations that are consistent with biblical principles. In this case, we explore the weakness of professional healthcare when the patient is demanding, the medical team has weak communication, and there is subsequent capitulation.

Column Editor’s note:  This column presents a problematic case that poses a medical-ethical dilemma for patients, families, and healthcare professionals.  As it is based on a real situation, some details have been changed in the effort to maintain confidentiality.  In this case, the community pediatric society struggles with appropriate pediatric care in the face of considerable financial constraints.

Column editor: 
Ferdinand D. (Nick) Yates, Jr., MD, MA, Acting Consultant in Clinical Ethics, CBHD

Editor’s Note: This column presents a problematic case that poses a medical-ethical dilemma for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. As it is based on a real case, some details have been omitted in the effort to maintain patient confidentiality. In this case, the doctor discusses her experience from the retrospect of the unanswered question.

Column Editor: Ferdinand D. (Nick) Yates, MD, MA; Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, State University of New York at Buffalo

Editor’s note: This column presents a problematic case that poses a medical-ethical dilemma for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. As it is based on a real case, some details have been omitted in the effort to maintain patient confidentiality. This case and discussion point out some of the complexities in treating the minor child. While agreeing with the recommendation, the editor’s comment reflects a different paradigm for approaching the issue of a requested confidentiality purposefully withholding information from the patient.

Editor’s Note: The following consultation report is based on a real clinical dilemma that led to a request for an ethics consultation. Some details have been changed to preserve patient privacy. The goal of this column is to address ethical dilemmas faced by patients, families and healthcare professionals, offering careful analysis and recommendations that are consistent with biblical standards.