Help with Difficult Decisions: Pediatric Ethics Committee FAQ
Why is there a Pediatric Ethics Committee?
The University of Michigan has a Pediatric Ethics Committee because the best medical care requires not only medical skill but good moral judgment. The Committee’s main purpose is to offer help and guidance on moral and ethical questions, such as:
- Should treatment be started or stopped?
- How much should a child be told about his or her disease?
- Is the promise of treatment worth the suffering it may cause?
- What is the best thing to do when we must face the end of life?
How does the process work?
The Committee discusses a case only when a health care provider, patient or family member asks it to do so. If a case raises ethical issues, the Committee will meet with the family and health care team treating the patient. At the meeting, the doctors, nurses and social workers will explain the medical facts. Members of the family will express their concerns about the care and treatment of their child. If there are disagreements, they will be freely and respectfully discussed.
After a full discussion with the health care team and family, the Committee meets on its own to consider all the issues. It will then recommend the best course of action. A member of the Committee will talk with the family and treatment team about its recommendation. The Committee’s recommendation also will be written in the patient’s medical record.
Do I have to take the PEC’s recommendation?
No. The PEC’s recommendation is simply the group’s judgment about the best course of action for the patient. The family members and the health care team are responsible for the final decision.
