Medical Ethics: Understanding Relationships Between Doctors and Infants

Doctors, infants, parents or guardian medical-ethical relationships

A doctor has a doctor-patient relationship with an infant, who is under his care. That doctor-patient relationship is relatively complex because with an infant, it must include the parent, parents or guardian of that infant. A medical-ethical, doctor-patient relationship entails medical-ethical standards and practice.

An infant of any age is not able to speak for him or herself, which makes him or her extremely vulnerable. The parent, parents or guardian become the voice of the infant, speaking on his or her behalf. This is particularly true when an infant is a preemie, a newborn or has serious, health-related concerns, issues or problems.

Of course, an infant cannot refuse surgery, medication, procedures or treatment of any kind.

What happens to the infant in terms of his or her health care depends upon the parent, parents or guardian speaking on his or her behalf and working in conjunction with a doctor or other health care professionals, who have the infant’s best interest at heart.

Ideally, a doctor should have a nurse assisting him or her, when he or she examines an infant, administers treatments, medications, initiates procedures or surgery. Medical-ethical documentation should include everything that occurs, including the response of the infant.

There is always the possibility of moral, ethical and legal problems arising and thus, accurate medical records help to protect the doctor in question. They also serve to protect the infant, in that future care may be determined, based upon what has happened with the infant. It can help explain health care issues and concerns, when necessary.

Monitoring an infant before, during and after surgery, procedures or treatments, helps to ensure that there are no problems. When there are issues or concerns, accurate monitoring allows the doctor or a specialist to assess the situation immediately.        

A written and signed consent is necessary for any surgery, treatments or procedures an infant receives. This should come from a parent or guardian. In an emergency scenario, if there is no parent or guardian present, a doctor may act on behalf of an infant, but will contact the parent or guardian, as soon as possible, in order to obtain a written consent. He will explain the situation to them in a way that they can understand and discuss issues or concerns with them.  

Many doctors are parents, as well as being medical professionals, who understand the importance of infant care. Most doctors love infants and care for them, as if they were their own. They are also seriously concerned about their safety and protection.

If there is an area of concern regarding the health and well being of an infant, a second opinion may be advisable. A parent, parents or a guardian may ask for a referral to a pediatrician or other specialist, at any time. Most doctors prefer to have them aware of what is happening with an infant, with respect to his or her health care.

At times, there can be a fine line between medical-ethical issues and non-medical-ethical concerns. The doctor has to act on behalf of the infant, as well as the parent or parents or the guardian. In a critical situation, his or her judgment is extremely important. At times, there are no easy answers, particularly when critical situations arise with infants.

Ideally, every one involved in infant care, works together as a team to improve the health care and status of infants.