Week 3 Law Talk Topic:

This week we will be focusing our discussion on patient consent. You should skim Chapter 14 before proceeding with this assignment. Focus your attention on the Matter of Dubreuil case on page 391.

Scenario for Post 1

You represent the hospital, and insist that the hospital has the right to assert the state's interest over Ms. R. E. Fusal. Ms. Fusal is refusing to accept a blood transfusion. Without it, she will die. The hospital attorney is preparing for a court hearing where the judge will determine whether to order the transfusion or enforce the patient's refusal. What arguments can you provide to the hospital attorney? What is the hospital's rationale for requiring this patient to receive treatment?

Scenario for Post 2

Read through the posts submitted by your fellow students for Post 1. Choose a post that interests you, and respond to it. But for this post, you no longer represent the hospital. Now, you represent Ms. R. E. Fusal. What arguments would you tell the judge on her behalf? What are your issues with the arguments presented to the judge by the hospital in Post 1?

Scenario for Post 3

Now you choose. Read through the posts submitted by the class. What is your opinion? What side seemed to have more valid arguments? Should a hospital have the right to require treatment? Why / why not? Be sure to support your opinion by citing to a fellow student's post.