You’re an intern and a patient refuses treatment, but their life is at risk. Do you respect their choice or intervene? 
3 Likes
Find a way to give treatment
3 Likes
As a doctor we can counsel them, but it is up to the patient to accept or deny treatment.
2 Likes
There is nothing you can do if a patient refuses treatment..you can counsel them against it.. but to enusure the right protocol.. take Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) and discharge them..
2 Likes
We can’t go against the patient’s will, but as an intern, the first step should be to inform and seek guidance from seniors.
2 Likes
An adult patient with decision making capacity has all the rights to refuse or decline treatment even if this results in poor outcome or death.
However, an adult patient who does not have decision making capacity and his/ her medical condition is life threatening, or may result in harm to others, then a physician must intervene and treat.
#Ethics #MedicalEthics
2 Likes
AETCOM teaches us on this topic only if the patient’s life is at risk i will try my level best to convince them
1 Like
Understand why the patient is refusing, and find a way to talk around his wishes and still give the treatment
1 Like
as a patient i would like to think that i will listen to the doctors first, take a second opinion if needed and then make an informed choice as per the situation
1 Like
Intervene and help him as we healthcare professionals are responsible to save lives and make the best out of a critical situation.
Make a different path to happy patient and patient life ie doctor job , heal the risk of patient life and patient wish.
many paths but one dream , i.e patient wish with good life at calculated risk.
We have to explain the complete situation, consequences of denying and the ultimate outcome of both choices
Post that- it’s upto them
If a patient needs immediate treatment and there’s no time to explain, I would intervene to provide the necessary care, as saving their life takes priority. In such critical situations, the duty to preserve life outweighs the patient’s refusal, especially if they are unable to give consent in the moment. I would immediately involve senior doctors and ensure everything is documented afterward.
2 Likes
First understand why patient is refusing the treatment. Then convince them about the importance of treatment. Then if they willing continue the treatment or refused give them discharge by getting signature of them in a paper regarding that they will take rhe responsibility and it’s not regatds to us about the discharge.
1 Like
First counsel them for immediate te treatment, so as to settle and give primary care, then you cam call the consultant and exolaining the situation so that they can talk to the patient accordingly for further treatment
2 Likes
According to Indian medical ethics, a patient has the right to refuse treatment if they are mentally competent. However, if their life is at immediate risk, the doctor may intervene under the doctrine of necessity.
As an intern, I would inform the senior physician and act under guidance.
Patient autonomy is respected, but saving life is a core ethical duty in emergencies.
1 Like