The Family in the Medical Decision-Making Process

This book examines the major principles of medical law and bioethics in the context of family involvement in the medical decision-making process. Drawing on an empirical study, the main principles of medical law, namely autonomy, consent, disclosure, confidentiality and capacity/competence are examined vis-à-vis the views and experiences of clinicians, adult patients and their relatives. While the empirical research is based on English law, the wider legal and bioethical analysis draws comparisons between English, American and commonwealth caselaw. Most importantly, the study addresses the role of law and ethical guidelines in the doctor-patient-family relationship especially when tensions between these three parties arise. The findings presented in the book suggest that rather than being a useful tool for resolving conflicts and dilemmas, the law might be an obstacle which intensifies the tensions.