Delta4Embassy
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The tricky issue of consent in adolescent mental health care - The Globe and Mail
"How does a doctor ascertain that an adolescent is mature enough to determine his or her own care?
Communication is key, experts say, stressing that consent is an ongoing process between patient and doctor.
Dr. Wallace asks patients to explain back to him what they’ve discussed: “Can you tell me in your own words what we just stated?”
When language barriers pose a problem, he recommends that doctors use an official translator, even if it means waiting until one is available.
What is the upside of not having a legal age of consent for mental-health treatment?
“This is about patient autonomy,” Dr. Wallace says. Experts say that when you remove the issue of parental consent for capable teens, you open up the services to a group of people who feel that they might not be supported by their parents to get help. “Individuals can opt into treatment without needing to initially go through the filter of their parents,” Dr. Baillie says.
The process allows kids to become engaged and involved in their own care, Dr. Geist says. “The outcome is better because they’re not helpless but active agents in their treatments.”"
Some excellent points made. ...What'd you think it was about?
"How does a doctor ascertain that an adolescent is mature enough to determine his or her own care?
Communication is key, experts say, stressing that consent is an ongoing process between patient and doctor.
Dr. Wallace asks patients to explain back to him what they’ve discussed: “Can you tell me in your own words what we just stated?”
When language barriers pose a problem, he recommends that doctors use an official translator, even if it means waiting until one is available.
What is the upside of not having a legal age of consent for mental-health treatment?
“This is about patient autonomy,” Dr. Wallace says. Experts say that when you remove the issue of parental consent for capable teens, you open up the services to a group of people who feel that they might not be supported by their parents to get help. “Individuals can opt into treatment without needing to initially go through the filter of their parents,” Dr. Baillie says.
The process allows kids to become engaged and involved in their own care, Dr. Geist says. “The outcome is better because they’re not helpless but active agents in their treatments.”"
Some excellent points made. ...What'd you think it was about?
