Informed Consent: Does It Take a Village? The Problem of Culture and Truth Telling

Abstract

Bioethicists have become very interested in the importance of social groups. This interest has spawned a growing literature on the role of the family and the place of culture in medical decisionmaking. These ethicists often argue that much of medical ethics suffers from the individualistic bias of the dominant culture and political tradition of the United States. As a result, the doctrine of informed consent has come under some scrutiny. It is believed that therein lies the source of the problem because the doctrine incorporates the assumptions of the larger society. Thus, informed consent has been reexamined, reinterpreted, and even abandoned as unworkable.

Medical ethics in sub-Sahara Africa: closing the gaps.

“…6 What is common in these studies is the diverse cultural influence which has been described as the major issues in present day bioethics. 8,10,11 Health care workers in Africa similar to Asia communities are more likely to be confronted with moral conflicts because of the less demands for self actualization of their people compare to their counterparts in the West. 10 Traditionally, family and community carry a greater weight in African/Asian value systems than individuals.…”

Nonbeneficial Treatment and Conflict Resolution: Building Consensus

“…In addition, refusal to provide the treatments relies heavily on the patient's negative right of self-determination: providing treatment must be considered the right thing to do by the clinician to avoid patient coercion for the clinician when s/he provides treatment to the patient because of the fear of unpleasant consequences from the patient or family. 11 Our study described an explicit process that acknowledged and respected the views of both patient and clinician. By following the process outlined in the policy, the professional voice of the attending physician, conscientious refusal by the attending physician, and bilateral discussions of clinical treatment proposals prevailed.…”

Three-Dimensional Radiograph Revealing the Big-Nose Variant before Dental Implant Surgery in Posterior Maxilla: A Rare Case Report

“…The cross-cultural dimension and difference in patient approach has been one of the major issues in present day bioethics. 6 Continuing treatment for a non-compliant patient has always been an ethical dilemma. This situation is largely influenced by the system of healthcare delivery and in managed care settings it is difficult to both continue and abandon the management of such a patient.…”