Adolescent autonomy in medical decision making

Abstract

Normally in the health profession there is a requirement to gain valid consent from patients before treatment can be given. This respect for patient autonomy has become a cornerstone of modern medical practice, however not all people are considered to be autonomous. Below a certain age, people are assumed not to be autonomous and can only consent to and refuse treatment if they can prove themselves competent. Currently there is no clear guidance for clinicians about to how to deal with patients under the legal age of medical consent who wish to choose treatment for themselves. This thesis seeks to explore the idea of adolescent consent and the problems associated with it. By considering a number of philosophical, neurological and developmental sources, as well as cases and specific laws, I intend to consider an approach to adolescent autonomy which could fill some of the conceptual gaps which there are in the current medical approach. In the following thesis I will discuss the importance of well-being, autonomy and liberty to the medical profession. I will discuss how these three things should be weighed against each other. As part of this discussion I present a framework to consider autonomy both generally and as it relates to adolescents specifically. I also consider a variety of approaches to development to their suitability to this subject. In the conclusion of this thesis I find that respect for autonomy is important in the medical system and that this respect should be extended to adolescent's who can be shown to be autonomous.