In pediatric urology, parents may request elective surgery for a child with an intersex condition. How would you navigate this, balancing parental wishes, patient autonomy, and current guidelines?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
This question digs into a tough ethical dilemma in pediatric urology. The interviewer wants to see how you balance what parents want with the child's future rights and the latest medical guidelines.
Tips
- Acknowledge the ethical complexity of the situation right away.
- Mention current guidelines that suggest deferring non-urgent surgeries until the child can decide for themselves.
- Show empathy by actively listening to parents and educating them about the implications of surgery.
Common mistakes
- Don't just agree with parents without considering the child's future autonomy.
- Avoid being vague about the guidelines; be clear on the importance of deferral.
- Don't dismiss parental concerns; instead, engage them in a compassionate conversation.