Ethics

Unique to pediatrics is the physician–patient–parent relationship. Medical decisions are best made keeping the rights and obligations of each of these individuals in mind while of course taking into account principles of medical ethics that are widely accepted. Recognizing the difficulty sometimes inherent in balancing the best interests of the patient with parental rights, pediatricians have recourse to multidisciplinary team meetings. If no resolution is found there, they can call on institutional ethics committees, as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, for the resolution of ethically challenging cases.