30.04.12
Deserving treatment
Controversy has been raised over the implementation of ‘treatment bans’ for patients with unhealthy lifestyles, such as smokers or those who are obese.
Where is the line between requiring patients to alter their behaviour before surgery and refusing point blank to treat patients with these complications?
The difference, doctors claim, is between what is medically legitimate to ensure before treatment, and what is simple discrimination. If a lifestyle factor is going to seriously increase the risks of a procedure then it makes sense to mitigate this as far as possible through a non-medical approach first.
It is a slippery slope however, as once certain patients are denied surgery for their weight or addictions, it becomes harder to protect others in similar circumstances from avoiding a ban.
Assessing each case based on its specific issues is the best way to navigate potentially complicated treatment, yet financial constraints mean this may be difficult to achieve in practice.
Patients health and access to necessary treatment must be carefully balanced with the added risks certain lifestyle factors present in an increasingly unhealthy society.
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