Faith, Medical Decision Making, and Coping: Bioethics Considerations for Pediatric Psychologists

Objective: The intersection of bioethics, religion, faith, spirituality, and clinical care is frequently encountered in the work of pediatric psychologists. This article provides psychologists with bioethics principles to consider when they encounter ethical issues that may arise due to religious, spiritual, or faith-based beliefs of patients and their families. Method: We present a case series to highlight the multifaceted roles of pediatric psychologists within medical care teams when faith-based bioethics issues arise. Results: The cases each provide in-depth analysis of the ethical issues involved for (a) families who discontinue medically advised care due to religious reasons, (b) families who seek care not medically indicated due to their faith and the concept of hope, and (c) ethical considerations made within the context of coping and discussing treatment options and outcomes, including death, with families due to their religious beliefs. Conclusions: Ethics issues encountered within these roles are discussed, and bioethics principles are provided to support readers in their interactions with colleagues, ethics committees, and families around these issues related to faith. Implications for Impact Statement This article provides psychologists with bioethics principles to consider when ethical issues and cultural differences may arise due to religious, spiritual, or faith-based beliefs of patients and their families. Psychologists often play several important roles on interdisciplinary care teams in navigating this complex intersection of faith, spirituality, religion, and medical decision making and coping.