Balancing autonomy and parental consent in the use of isotretinoin for a minor

This ethical dilemma explores a case in which a 16-year-old girl, deemed Gillick competent, wishes to start isotretinoin for severe acne despite her parents’ objections. The conflict highlights the tension between respecting a minor’s informed autonomy and parental authority in medical decision-making. The discussion focuses on balancing beneficence, nonmaleficence and autonomy, offering strategies for clinicians to navigate such complex scenarios.