Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You ask the doctor to reconsider his approach.
You think to yourself, "If I don't speak to the doctor, the little girl
will continue to suffer from the side effects of medications that cannot help
her get better. The parents will become frustrated because they think there
is still hope, but they will see no improvement.
"If I do ask him to change his instructions, it is true that he could be
angry at me, but it also means the family can make the girl as comfortable
as possible and prepare themselves to lose her."
You speak to the doctor and explain your concerns.
He sighs and says sadly, "I believe you are right. It is never easy to
tell parents that a child will no longer respond to treatment. I guess that
I just wanted to postpone giving the bad news, but I will do it today."
You are very glad that you spoke to the doctor. You understand that it
is a difficult situation for everyone involved, including the physician.
This is the real-life decision that discharge coordinator Frances McNeil
would make.
"Then we can provide home hospice -- a kind of care that will make the
child more comfortable," she says. "Instead of feeling that they
are failing in helping the child get well, the parents can feel good about
caring for the child and making her comfortable."