New Paper Challenges Dementia Patients' Preference Views in Medical Ethics
A recent study questions the dominant perspective in philosophical literature concerning the moral significance of preferences expressed by dementia patients. The researcher contends that current methods favor initial preferences, while clinical reality demonstrates substantial changes in patients' preferences over time.
The researcher argues that the established view, which grants decisive moral significance to preferences stated at the onset of dementia in advance directives, is insufficient. This approach overlooks the substantial changes in patients' preferences as their condition progresses from early to moderate-late stages.
The researcher suggests that having dementia can be a transformative cognitive experience, leading to legitimate changes in preferences. Therefore, these later-stage preferences should also be given moral weight in medical decision-making processes. The researcher proposes reducing confidence in the moral significance of advance directives for dementia patients, aligning more closely with real-world clinical practice.
The researcher's argument challenges the status quo in philosophical literature, advocating for a shift in moral consideration towards preferences expressed by dementia patients at all stages of their condition. This perspective aims to better reflect the realities of clinical practice and the transformative nature of dementia.
