Ethical issues in managed and rationed care for children with severe neurological disabilities: a questionnaire survey.

Abstract

The attitudes of pediatric neurosurgeons to managed and rationed care for children with severe al neurological disabilities were surveyed as reflected in responses from International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN) members to a questionnaire. Of 399 ISPN members, 156 (39.1%) responded to the questionnaire. There were 15 questions, which were designed to explore what care is medically indicated, whether all medically indicated care should always be provided, and how this care should be managed or rationed. Most respondents agreed that these patients should receive the same level of medical care as a normally developing child. However, respondents felt that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not indicated if a child is not retrievable. Most respondents also felt that provision of care should be influenced by cost. The responses to the questions from ISPN members were compared with those from Child Neurology Society (CNS) members.