Flashcards on Patient Preferences and Informed Consent

Patient Preferences and Informed Consent: A Student's Guide

SummaryKnowledge testFlashcardsPodcastMindmap
1 / 30

Do religious or cultural beliefs that seem unusual automatically indicate a patient lacks decision-making capacity?

No. Adherence to an unusual belief is not, by itself, evidence of incapacity; in the absence of clinical signs of incapacity, such persons should be c

Tap to flip · Swipe to navigate

Patient autonomy — Refusal, Religious & Cultural Issues

30 cards

Card 1

Question: Do religious or cultural beliefs that seem unusual automatically indicate a patient lacks decision-making capacity?

Answer: No. Adherence to an unusual belief is not, by itself, evidence of incapacity; in the absence of clinical signs of incapacity, such persons should be c

Card 2

Question: What should institutions with many patients from a particular religious or cultural tradition do to better serve them?

Answer: Foster cultural capacity by educating providers about cultural beliefs, providing cultural mediators (e.g., clergy or knowledgeable intermediaries), a

Card 3

Question: Why is it insufficient to assume someone who shares a language, country, or religion with a patient is an appropriate translator or intermediary?

Answer: Because speaking the same language or sharing background does not guarantee competence as a translator or intermediary, and cultural stereotypes shoul

Card 4

Question: When a patient's religious or cultural beliefs conflict with a clinician's recommendation, what is the first step toward resolving the conflict?

Answer: Discover the common goals shared by the patient and physician, then negotiate mutually acceptable strategies to achieve those goals.

Card 5

Question: How should clinicians respond ethically when unfamiliar beliefs provoke a reaction that the beliefs are 'crazy' or indicate incapacity?

Answer: Such reactions reveal bias and ignorance and are unjustified; clinicians should not equate unusual beliefs with incapacity without clinical evidence.

Card 6

Question: In the Navajo case, why did the patient refuse recommended cardiac surgery after hearing the surgeon discuss risks?

Answer: In Navajo culture, language can shape reality and mentioning possible risks is perceived as predicting or causing those events; hearing the risk of no

Card 7

Question: According to the Navajo case comment, how should physicians adapt informed consent discussions for patients with cultural norms that avoid mentioning

Answer: Physicians who understand these cultural norms should shape discussions to align with patient expectations, omitting negative information when appropr

Card 8

Question: What ethical principle justifies modifying the usual practice of disclosing risks for certain culturally-specific patients?

Answer: Respect for persons understood as individuals formed within their cultural values—honoring their autonomy may justify modifying disclosure to fit cult

Card 9

Question: What role can cultural mediators play when patients refuse care due to religious or cultural beliefs?

Answer: Cultural mediators can explain beliefs, communicate with patients, and help bridge understanding between providers and patients to negotiate acceptabl

Card 10

Question: What ethical principle requires that a competent, informed adult's refusal of medical treatment be respected, even if it may lead to serious harm?

Answer: Respect for autonomy (supported generally by American law).