Overriding Incapacitated Patients: The Ethics of Treating Incapacitated Patients Against Their Will
This conference will explore the concept of ‘decisional capacity’ and its relevance to treating ‘incapacitated’ patients over their objection. The keynote speaker is Rebecca Dresser, JD, Daniel Noyes Kirby Professor of Law Emerita at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. Professor Dresser is an expert in biomedical ethics and the law. Since 1983, she has taught medical and law students about legal and ethical issues in end of life care.
Target Audience
Primarily physician, with the addition of other health care professional, and other individuals interested in health care ethics.
Learning Objectives
Participants who engage in this educational intervention will be able to:
- Identify the ethical and legal factors that should be considered when deciding whether to treat incapacitated patients over their objection. Feedback will be given in group discussions.
- Discuss the ethical and legal factors that should be considered when deciding whether to adhere to an advance directive that clashes with an incapacitated patient’s current preferences. Resources will be provided for references.
- Identify the ethical and practical factors that should be considered when assessing a patient’s capacity to refuse treatment. Feedback will be given in group discussion.
8:20-8:30 -Introduction
8:30-9:20 -Talk 1 (Mark Navin + Jason Wasserman)
9:20-10:10 -Talk 2 (Jennifer Hawkins)
10:10-10:30 -Break
10:30-11:20 -Talk 3 (Jeffrey Swanson)
11:20-12:10 -Talk 4 (Rebecca Dresser-Keynote)
In accordance with the ACCME® Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, Standard 3, all in control of content must disclose any relevant financial relationships. The following in control of content had no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Jennifer Hawkins, PhD
Associate Research Professor of Philosophy, Duke University
Mark Navin, PhD, HEC-C
Professor and Chair of Philosophy, Oakland University
Jeffrey Swanson, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University
Jason Wasserman, PhD, HEC-C
Associate Professor of Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
ACCME Accreditation Statement:
The Medical College of Wisconsin is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA Credit Designation Statement:
The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this for a maximum of 3.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Hours of Participation for Allied Health Care Professionals:
The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this activity for up to 3.25 hours of participation for continuing education for allied health professionals.
Available Credit
- 3.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
- 3.25 Hours of ParticipationHours of Participation credit.