Stephanie is a 17-year old female with a history of gastrointestinal issues that make it hard for her to digest food and gain and keep weight. As a result, she is in the bottom 10^th percentile for weight for her age, while being in the top 5% for height. Whatever is causing her weight issues has led to an inability to participate in athletics (which she REALLY wants to do!), participate in academic programs consistently, and she also is very self-conscious about the problem and has limited the development of friendships because of it. Over the past 5 years, she has also developed noticeable symptoms of anxiety and depression. Her parents have not taken her to a psychologist or psychiatrist, and have not asked any physician about medication despite worsening symptoms. 

Stephanie's parents are worried about her physical and mental health. They know that Stephanie's physical health issues are from some natural cause, and not from any action of Stephanie (she does NOT have an eating disorder). They're unsure how to address either problem. As a very observant Christian Scientist family,^[1] they consult with their local church leaders and they recommend a visit to a local naturalist and to engage in prayer. The naturalist recommends dietary changes and a non-FDA approved supplement that he says will allow her to digest food with ease. Although Stephanie's diet is healthier, she is still unable to fully digest food and gain weight and her mental health remains poor. 

Stephanie's parents, against their better judgment, decide to take her to a physician. The physician suggests various scoping procedures (scopes might be inserted into Stephanie's esophagus and colon to view the large intestine and stomach) to try to determine the cause of the digestive problems. The procedures are minimally invasive and with low risk, but Stephanie will be under general anesthetic. Stephanie's parents object and decline the care. Stephanie wants to receive the care because she tired of having to deal with the problems, and also literally tired because of her inability to fully digest food. She also wants to see a psychologist or psychiatrist because she's becoming more aware and concerned about how her mental health is impacting her ability to function at school, and home, and in social interactions.

1.  If Stephanie's parents object to the care and Stephanie wants it, how should the physician proceed, and do you think Stephanie will end up receiving the procedures? Consider the different principles/pillars of ethics in your response.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

In situations where a minors desire for medical care conflicts with their parents objections ethical ... View the full answer