When Patients Cannot Consent: Should Families Decide?

Needs Statement

Ethical dilemmas can arise in the day-to-day practice of physicians, nurses, social workers, advanced practice providers, and other allied health professionals. The series aims to review classic and emerging issues in healthcare, focusing on developments in the field of clinical ethics, the practice of ethics consultation, and the role of ethics in shared clinical decision-making. The series also aims to expand the knowledge of learners, foster the skills needed to resolve ethical dilemmas in clinical practice, and enhance the quality of patient care.

Target Audience

Physicians, fellows, residents, nurses, social workers, and other health professionals.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Describe the substituted judgment standard for surrogate decision-making.

  • Explain the rationale for relying on family members to make substituted judgments for their loved ones.

  • Identify what skills, knowledge, and traits are necessary to make substituted judgments.

  • Assess family members to determine which of them are capable of making substituted judgments.

  • Outline a model of shared decision-making for substituted judgments that incorporates familial knowledge alongside medical expertise and moral reasoning.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Ethics
  • 1.00 Participation
  • 1.00 Social Work
Course opens: 
04/01/2023
Course expires: 
04/30/2025
Rating: 
0

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity has been designated by Baylor College of Medicine for 1 credit of education in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.

Social Work: Baylor College of Medicine, Division of Continuing Professional Development (License Number 7270) is an approved continuing education provider for Social Workers through the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. This activity has been approved for 1 continuing education unit.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Ethics
  • 1.00 Participation
  • 1.00 Social Work
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Thank you for reviewing this Baylor College of Medicine on-demand activity. In order to complete the evaluation and claim credit for your participation, please select the appropriate payment option above. After payment has been completed, you will receive an email confirmation and receipt. 

For any questions, contact cpd@bcm.edu.