| Abstract: |
(from the chapter) This chapter focus on ethical issues in pediatric oncology. Medical decisions are often fraught with ambiguity, emotion, and conflicting priorities. Understanding the ethical underpinnings of medical practice is essential for good clinical care. In pediatric oncology, where patients are incomparably vulnerable, parental, or other caregivers particularly distressed, and providers deeply dedicated to the search for a cure, the "right" path is not always obvious. Each case presents a unique set of multilayered considerations and may require systematic review to delineate the factors in any ethical dilemma. Attention to ethical principles described below through staff education, case discussions or ethics consultations will help clarify directions, boundaries, goals, processes and, sometimes conflicts, thereby smoothing the illness experience for patients, families, and staff. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved). |
