Request for a medical discharge order against medical advice without imminent risk of death

Authors

  • Mariana Vicente Cano
  • Hermes de Freitas Barbosa

Abstract

The response to the request by a patient for a medical discharge order against medical advice without imminent risk of death is no more than respecting his or her autonomy. Yet this is not a peaceful issue. The objective of this study was to describe the conduct of doctors facing demands for medical discharge. A qualitative type case study was conducted based on semi-structured individual interviews with doctors of the Emergency Unit of HC-FMRP-USP. Eight interviews were recorded, transcribed, and the data was analyzed by content analysis. We found that doctors stress the importance of informing the patient about the risks of their decision, which should be respected if he or she maintains his position; and also highlighted the importance of documentation and the impossibility of issuing prescriptions when there is no scientifically recognized alternative. The concern of the doctor regarding the legal implications of accepting the patient’s request was also noted.

Keywords:

Patient discharge. Personal autonomy. Bioethics.
Vol. 24 No. 1 (2016): Rev. bioét. (Impr.). 2016; 24 (1)

Published:

2016-03-29

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How to Cite

1.
Cano MV, Barbosa H de F. Request for a medical discharge order against medical advice without imminent risk of death. Rev. bioét.(Impr.). [Internet]. 2016 Mar. 29 [cited 2024 May 13];24(1). Available from: http://www.revistabioetica.cfm.org.br/revista_bioetica/article/view/977