Who Consents? Medical Decision Making for Children in Foster Care

Abstract

Children in foster care have complexity around medical decision making because of their unique custody status. When medical decision making is necessary for a child in foster care, what perspectives are important? What if opinions are not aligned? Who makes the final decision for consent? This Ethics Rounds focuses on a young child in foster care who has had repeated ear infections. Foster caregivers and family of origin are not in agreement on the treatment plan. Two experts, a foster care pediatrician and a child welfare professional, comment on the important considerations for the case, including involvement of legal representation and best interest representation in medical decision making as well as the variability in child welfare response by state.