[NPInfo] Should teens be allowed to do this?

[ROBERT DOERFLER]

Have been following this thread a bit since I got back (to email). It seems
like most people on the list are pretty angry about this. Truth is, I think
most religion tends to get people into this sort of hot water, eventually.
In fact, I'm no fan of any religion.

On the other hand, I think it's pretty glib to suggest that a 16-year-old
isn't capable of having a valid opinion about life and death--and the depth
of religious faith. We in health care (physicians, nurses) who have so much
power over people in life, seem offended when they choose death, if WE think
the death is unnecessary. If it's terminal cancer, we're ok with it: "He
gave it his best shot...." But if something like this uremic kid, and it's a
choice grounded in a discipline of faith then it somehow conflicts with our
ideals, and then it's a "bad choice" and somebody has to be punished.

Hmm...

Several noted authors have commented on the ethics of minors' medical/health
decisions. A survey of these suggests that this young fellow may well have
been capable of assent--agreeing to care (or...not). While I would certainly
exhaust every gentle attempt to change his mind and the minds of his
community, I don't think I would castigate them if they allowed him his
wishes. (Apparently the Oregon Legislature thought so too.) Personally, I
think such belief is bizarre. But I am an American, and while our society
has a duty to protect children, the line between minority and majority age
isn't reallt that sharp: I'd prefer us to err on the side respecting
personal freedom. From what I've read, his community was doing so. 

The alternative is--potentially--an escalating intrusion into private
affairs. I didn't get into this business to act as such an agent. If I
misunderstood something about this case, I would maintain my argument in its
general sense. 
e.d.

R. Eric Doerfler, CRNP, PhD(c), CCH
Instructor Of Nursing
RN-BS Program Coordinator
Penn State University, Capital Campus
777 W. Middletown Pike, Middletown PA 17057
717-948-6513 red1012 at psu.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: npinfo-bounces at nurse.net [mailto:npinfo-bounces at nurse.net] On Behalf
Of David Mittman
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 12:29 PM
To: ACC; NPinfo Info; PAForum at mc.duke.edu
Subject: [NPInfo] Should teens be allowed to do this?

Autopsy: Easy treatment for teen who died in failed 'faith healing'


01:57 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 18, 2008


By NICK BRADSHAW and ANTONIA GIEDWOYN, kgw.com Staff

GLADSTONE, Ore. -- A 16-year-old member of a faith healing church died of
uremic heart failure caused by a stricture in his urinary tract, according
to autopsy results.

The urinary tract condition could have been fixed with a catheter, said Dr.
Cliff Nelson, the state Medical Examiner. The outpatient procedure is
routine.

Teen member of faith healing church found dead


Instead, 16-year-old Neal Beagley's urinary tract became inflamed and closed
off. He was unable to urinate, which made his bladder and kidneys stop
functioning, the autopsy showed. Toxins backed up into his blood stream.



Beagley had started complaining about stomach aches and shortness of breath
last week. The family told police he did not want medical attention.



Gladstone police said relatives and church members told them the teenager
refused treatment for the illness, as he was entitled to do under Oregon
law.



Officers and a deputy medical examiner were called to the family's house
about an hour after the boy's death late Tuesday afternoon, said Sgt. Lynne
Benton of the Gladstone Police Department.



The Major Crimes Team responded to the scene to investigate.



Benton said the teen's family was with him when he died.



Like all members of the religious order, Beagley did not receive medical
care. His condition worsened Sunday and members of the church gathered for
prayer, Benton said.



The family belongs to the Oregon City Followers of Christ Church. The church
is a fundamentalist Christian denomination that recently made headlines
after two members were arrested and accused of using prayer instead of
medical care to try to cure their deathly ill daughter.



Second death at church in recent months

In March, the boy's 15-month-old cousin, Ava Worthington, died at home from
bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection.



Her parents, Carl and Raylene Worthington, also failed to contact a doctor
and are awaiting trial on criminal charges in her death.

Background: Couple arrested in faith healing death



No one had been arrested or charged with any crime in the latest case as of
Wednesday morning, but the information will be forwarded to the Clackamas
County District Attorney's Office for review, Benton said.



Oregon lawmakers passed new laws striking down legal shields for
faith-healing parents after several children from the Followers of Christ
church died in the 1990s.



The Oregon City church is not associated with a mainstream denomination.



AP contributed to this
report._______________________________________________
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