American Nurses Association has it right!
Provision 1.4 Code of Ethics for Nurses
Respect for human dignity requires the recognition of specific patient rights, particularly, the right of self-determinism. Self-determinism, also know as autonomy, is the philosophical basis for
informed consent in healthcare. Patients have the moral and legal right to determine what will be done with their own person; to be given accurate, complete, and understandable information in a manner that facilitates an informed judgement; to be assisted with weighing the benefits, burdens, and available options in their treatment, including the choice of no treatment; to accept, refuse, or terminate treatment without deceit, undue influence, duress, coercion, or penalty; and to be given necessary support thoughout the decision-making and treatment process.
Reprinted with permission from American Nurses Association, Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements, ©2001 Nursesbooks.org, Silver Spring, MD. To order call, 800/637-0323 or order on-line at http://www.nursebooks.org
November 30th, 2006 at 1:17 PM
Ken,
I just yesterday went to a website called “PsychSearch.net” which provides documentation on these types of things. I viewed an excellent video, which while it also focuses on the “Teen Screen” issue, is the mother of a child who was screened WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT at her middle school (age 15) and after the 10-minute “screening” was diagnosed with TWO MENTAL ILLNESSES. This video is a must-see! This woman has BEEN THERE, and tells it like it is. The link to the video is: http://www.psychsearch.net/teenscreen.html
Also on this web page is a list of some of the questions from TeenScreen, below the video.
Keep up the good work. “Nurses for Human Rights” — I’m aboard!
C.Gulasa, RN
November 30th, 2006 at 1:39 PM
Carol, thank you and spread the word. Ken