Abstract
Should a Suicidal Patient With Huntington’s Disease be Hospitalized Against her Will? Attitudes Among Future Physicians and Lawyers and Discussion of Ethical Issues
Elger B S~~Harding T W
The objective of this study was to identify future physicians’ & lawyers’ views on involuntary hospitalization of a suicidal Huntington’s disease (HD)patient & to evaluate whether they are ethically defendable. 599 law students & advanced medical students reported whether they agree or not with the involuntary hospitalization of a suicidal HD patient. No significant differences were found between medical & law students. 44% agreed to hospitalization while 49.3% disagreed. The authors concluded that the students underestimated the need for careful evaluation. (44 refs)