Complementary Medicine: Case 1
Complementary Medicine:
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A young mother has just been informed that her 2-year-old son has leukemia. The mother refuses permission to begin chemotherapy and informs the team that their family physician (a naturopath) will follow the child's illness. What should you do? |
Complementary Medicine:
Case 1 Discussion
Of utmost importance are the child's best interests, which include getting good medical care and maintaining a close connection with his mother. One way to achieve both is by requesting a care conference with both the mother and the family's naturopathic physician. It is best not to assume that the family’s naturopathic provider is in agreement with the mother. The potential therapeutic value of chemotherapy is part of licensed naturopathic physician training, as is the specialist nature of cancer treatment. The family ND may fully support chemotherapy as part of the child’s care plan. If the mother refuses this meeting and you remain convinced that chemotherapy is the only hope this child has, you are professionally obligated to seek a court order to appoint a guardian for the child. If chemotherapy offers a clear and compelling survival benefit, the justification for seeking legal intervention increases.