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How certain are you, doctor?
Gillis, Jonathan Tobin, Bernadette
Gillis, Jonathan
Tobin, Bernadette
Abstract
Objective: To argue that pediatric intensive care physicians have difficulties in responding to parental questions about prognostic certainty, and that this constitutes a failure in their professional responsibility to parents. Conclusions: These difficulties arise from three sources: 1) the structure and organization of contemporary intensive care, 2) the neglect of prognostication, and 3) the failure to distinguish scientific certainty from practical certainty. It is proposed that an understanding of these issues will enable physicians to respond to the parental question “How certain are you, doctor?” with more authenticity and sincerity.
Keywords
Date
2011
Type
Journal article
Journal
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Book
Volume
12
Issue
1
Page Range
71-72
Article Number
ACU Department
Plunkett Centre for Ethics
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
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Open Access Status
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Controlled