In episode 2 we saw the rather uncomfortable level of power that Don has over his family's access to health care. Do you think it's ever okay to decide on the medical treatment that a family member receives?
- If yes, in what situations or circumstances?
The situation reminded me a lot of what happens in "The Yellow ..." ... the old madwoman in the attic thing ..
ReplyDeleteIt's ok to decide to arrange an appointment with the doctor if the person in question really needs proffessional help and is not willing to go on her/his own. Nevertheless, the fact that Don's economic position is a good one does not mean that he can decide over his wife's medical treatment. He owns money, that is true, but he is not a doctor...
ReplyDeleteVero...
I think that sometimes it is necessary to decide about someone else's health. As Vero said, it is important that, if the person needs special treatment and refuses to go to the doctor, then someone else should decide.
ReplyDeleteHowever, concerning the episode we watched last class, I think that Don is trying to do something more than just "helping" his wife.
I think this is not a black or white thing. If a person is conscious enough (and by this I don't mean "old enough") to decide for herself/himself, let them do it. If not, there should be someone in charge of taking action.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, If I am not the one who is suffering, I wouldn't dare taking determinations over somebody else's life.
What if this theoretical patient was a risk to other family members or people around them? Would their family have the right to decide on their medical treatment in that case?
ReplyDeleteI think that if the patient was a risk for his family members and people around him, his family is the one who must decide on this person's medical treatment. Take as example an alcoholic person. He'd never admit that he's ill so he'd refuse to go to the doctor. It's his family and relatives the ones who have to decide on his medical treatment.
ReplyDelete