At the 29th WONCA Europe Conference, family doctors were highlighted as crucial in assessing and supporting patients with cognitive impairments in making decisions. The European Young Family Doctors Movement conducted a project across Europe, emphasizing the central role family doctors play in respecting patient rights and values. Real-life cases, like that of Jay, a man with cognitive limitations needing surgery, provided insight into the ethical dilemmas faced by family doctors. Legal and cultural variations in decision-making for cognitively impaired individuals across European countries were discussed. Family doctors were identified as needing more resources, education, and support to balance patient autonomy and safety effectively.
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Autonomy vs Safety in Cognitive Impairment Decision-Making
