One day a 65-year-old gentleman let his young physician know that he came for the annual check-up for the last time. In the young physician's professional opinion, this senior citizen was in good health but there's no good reason for him to stop coming back for a physical examination annually. By the way, he was a newly minted Medicare beneficiary. How could he not hold on to a free medical benefit?
The patient didn't want his physician to probe him further with a puzzled look. Calming the young man in a white coat with his gentle voice, the senior citizen had the following to say:
"I am neither a drinker nor a smoker. Weather permitting, I'll take a long walk in the morning, for fresh air if nothing else. I think I am doing OK. Frankly, I have no use for the annual check-up. Of course, I do value the Medicare package that I've just earned. Here is the deal: let me come to your office only if I have to. I hate to keep a routine check-up appointment and lose half a day enjoying my life. I mean no offense to you or your profession. Now you're smiling. I take it that you see my point. Thank you, doc!"
***
Seeing his patient out, the young physician made a mental note to revisit patients' right to refuse treatment. When he had a chance during the lunch break, he couldn't wait to glue himself to his iPad. His crazy search ended with this landmark case: Schloendorff v. Society of New York Hospital (1914) in which Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo ruled in favor of the plaintiff/patient. His lengthy court opinion defended freedom and dignity, regarding surgery as "medical battery" if without the patient's informed consent. Why? Because “every human being of adult years and sound mind has a right to determine what shall be done with his own body.” The young physician felt relieved as he had done the right thing by listening to his patient nonjudgmentally. Meanwhile, his cold lunch had never tasted so good.
Author: Lingyang Jiang
Image: Google
Informed Consent
Kinesiology in this video is noted for its holistic approach to address patients' issues of physical mobility. I share information here, which is NOT an act of endorsement.
