How would you handle a situation where a patient refuses treatment but is a danger to themselves or others?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
Interviewers want to see how you balance patient autonomy with the need to protect them and others. It's all about your ethical reasoning and clinical judgment in tough situations.
Tips
- Start by assessing immediate safety and consider de-escalation techniques.
- Talk about evaluating the patient's capacity to make informed decisions.
- Emphasize the importance of team involvement and legal knowledge regarding involuntary treatment.
Common mistakes
- Don't ignore the safety aspect or skip assessing the patient's understanding.
- Avoid making it a solo decision; always mention involving your team.
- Steer clear of being overly authoritarian or dismissive of the patient's feelings.