Module 1 Week 2 Case #1
Sharon L. Hicks
Central Georgia Technical College
Legal and Ethical Aspects of Aging
GERT 1070
Dr. Edna Primas
January 26, 2016 Module 1 Week 2 Case #1
Spouse’s Grief Leads to Withholding the Truth

1. Do you agree with Daniel’s decision not to tell Annie about the seriousness of her illness? Explain your answer.
No, I do not approve of Daniel’s choice to lie to Annie regarding the significance of her health status and prognosis of the cancer. Paternalism is a form of beneficence. Daniel thinks he knows what is best for Annie, his wife. He is withholding the truth from her and asks the doctor to comply with his decision. They both agreed to inform Annie she has a colon that has become small and she will be alright, just a slow and long recovery. Annie is 81 years old and there is nothing wrong with her mind. She is capable of making her own decision regarding her health care treatments.
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Should the physician have spoken to Annie as to the seriousness of her illness regardless of Daniel’s desire to give Annie hope and not a death sentence? Explain your answer.
Yes, the physician, Dr. Brown should arrange to speak directly to Annie about her condition first, not her husband, Daniel. After the anesthesia wears off and her mind is stable, then Dr. Brown and Annie should have a conversation about the findings during surgery. Annie does not have a mental issue and the physician should have recognize Annie’s right to be informed about her medical condition and the right to have options regarding her illness. It is not Daniel’s body and he is not the patient diagnosed with cancer, so why is he making the decisions for