special subjects
Consent and Surrogate Decision Making
Scope of patient choice
Patient choice is not limitless. For example, health care professionals are not required to provide treatments that are medically or ethically inappropriate, such as those that are against generally accepted health care standards. However, sometimes there are legitimate differences of opinion regarding what is inappropriate. Labeling a treatment as "futile" does not generally help if said treatment may affect outcomes other than mortality or morbidity that are important to the patient ( Reference ). Physicians do not have to act against their conscience or professional norms. But if they cannot comply with a requested course of action, consultation with an ethics committee is advisable. They may also have a responsibility under state law to try to transfer a patient to another physician or institution of the patient’s choice. 