Challenges to informed consent.
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Biomedical Research↗
Biomedical subjects
Jacquelyn Ann K Kegley
Publications and source records attributed to Jacquelyn Ann K Kegley.
An ethical imperative: genetics education for physicians and patients.
The Human Genome project will result in a rapid increase in information about genetically based disease and possible genetically based therapies and cures. In light of this, radical changes in medical education may be necessary. Patients rely on physicians for medical advice about genetic ills and treatments and yet there is mounting evidence that physicians are not well informed about genetics and indeed that they are misinformed. There is also evidence that informed consent is not always honored in the context of genetic testing and indeed that coercion to test and even to act on test information is a practice. Misinformation and the mishandling of genetic information can cause physical, psychological and social harm to persons and intentional and non-intentional violations of informed consent, confidentiality, and privacy are causes for alarm. It is an ethical imperative that genetic literacy and education for physicians be fully and quickly addressed.
Education, Medical↗
Genetics decision-making: a template for problems with informed consent.
Developments in information technology and advances in genetics present challenges to physicians in terms of providing adequate informed consent. Genetic mechanisms and related therapies are very complex and involve a number of uncertainties. Yet, physicians have very little training in genetics or in dealing with uncertainty. Further, genetic decisions impact others, yet physicians are trained to see the patient as an individual, independent decision-maker. Cultural, ethnic, gender, religious and other differences influence patients in their genetic decision-making, but physicians have little training in understanding these kinds of influences. Genetic information also gives knowledge about disease and dysfunction where no therapeutic intervention is available. Physicians are trained to heal in crisis situations, to engage in therapeutic intervention and not always to deal with chronic or unresolved illness. They may find this situation difficult to handle in an informed consent context. All ofthese difficulties pose the possibility that physicians will not be "informed" enough to facilitate good informed consent in genetic decision-making. Given all of this we need to address fundamental changes in medical education.
Decision Making↗