Rosemary lambasted? Not quite.

Rosemary Flanigan, PhD

February 16, 2010

I am grateful to you all for NOT lambasting me over my analysis of the right thing to do in the Hastings Center Report case.

Even the ER doc on our Carondelet Health ethics committee urged me to bring the young woman into the discussion and not act simply because she said, “No” to re-doing the pregnancy test. And I like having a nurse around—good point.

On reflection, I thought it ironic that I, who have moaned over the loss of the sharp edge to informed consent requests would so easily slide right over it because the 14 year old refused—and I would get the information ANYWAY.

But what if I had acted so AND the test came out positive? How could I re-establish trust with my patient?

I shall tell you a presupposition that led to my heavy-handedness: I’ve taught 14 year olds. They are VERY young. But guidance need not be accompanied by a heavy tread.

THANKS.