Identifying and managing undue influence from family members in end-of-life decisions for patients with advanced cancer

Francis X. Baker, Colleen M. Gallagher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Undue influence from family members of patients with advanced cancer remains a serious ethical problem in end-of-life decision making. Despite the wealth of articles discussing the problem of undue influence, little has been written by way of practical guidance to help clinicians identify and effectively manage situations of undue influence. This article briefly lays out how to identify and manage situations of undue influence sensitively and effectively. We explain how undue influence may present itself in the clinic and distinguish it from ethically permissible expressions of relational autonomy. In addition, we lay out a process by which any clinician suspecting undue influence may gather additional information and, if necessary, conduct a family meeting to address the undue influence. It is our hope that by providing clinicians at all levels of patient care with such guidance, they will feel empowered to respond to cases of undue influence when they arise.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e857-e862
JournalJournal of oncology practice
Volume13
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2017
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Oncology(nursing)
  • Health Policy

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