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Cited by 516Ethics and bioethics in healthcareEthics and Legal Issues in Pediatric HealthcareHealthcare Decision-Making and Restraints

Deciding for Others: The Ethics of Surrogate Decision Making

Buchanan, Allen E., Brock, Dan W.·1990·Cambridge University Press eBooks
DOI 10.1017/cbo9781139171946
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Abstract

This book is the most comprehensive treatment available of one of the most urgent - and yet in some respects most neglected - problems in bioethics: decision-making for incompetents. Part I develops a general theory for making treatment and care decisions for patients who are not competent to decide for themselves. It provides an in-depth analysis of competence, articulates and defends a coherent set of principles to specify suitable surrogate decisionmakers and to guide their choices, examines the value of advance directives, and investigates the role that considerations of cost ought to play in decisions concerning incompetents. Part II applies this theoretical framework to the distinctive problems of three important classes of individuals, many of whom are incompetent: minors, the elderly and psychiatric patients. The authors' approach combines a probing analysis of fundamental issues in ethical theory with a sensitive awareness of the concrete realities of health care institutions and the highly personal and individual character of difficult practical problems. Its broad scope will appeal to health professionals, moral philosophers and lawyers alike.

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  • Decision-making capacity is a matter of minor differences (gradual model) and competence is either present or not (threshold model).

    “Buchanan and Brock [26] state that decision-making capacity is a matter of minor differences (gradual model) and competence is either present or not (threshold model).”

    From Why is it hard to make progress in assessing children's decision-making competence? (2015) · cites this paper as [26]

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Authors
Buchanan, A. E., & Brock, D. W.
Affiliations
  • University of Arizona (US)
  • Brown University (US)
Venue
Cambridge University Press eBooks
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Published
1990-01-26
DOI
10.1017/cbo9781139171946
OpenAlex
W4241880035
Cited by
516
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 14
FWCI
4.34
Type
book
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 8166 d)
Locations
  • Cambridge University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
  • DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ethics and bioethics in healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints
Keywords
surrogate decision-making, competence, advance directives, minors, elderly patients, psychiatric patients, treatment decision-making, bioethics

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