ETHICAL AND LEGAL FRONTIERS IN MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: NAVIGATING
PATIENT CARE, CONSENT AND LIABILITY
Pavlina ALEXIOU1, Maria Gianina BERARU2, Alin CIOBICA2,3,4,5
Ioannis MAVROUDIS1,4,6
1
Sigma-Pi MedicoLegal, Leeds, UK
2Department
of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași,
Bd. Carol I no. 20A, 700505 Iași, Romania
3
Centre of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Bd. Carol I, no. 8, 700506
Iași, Romania
4
Academy of Romanian Scientists, 3 Ilfov St., 050044, Bucharest, Romania
5 Preclinical
Department, Apollonia University, Păcurari Street 11, 700511 Iași,
Romania
6.
Department of Neuroscience, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds, UK
Abstract
This paper examines the complex ethical dilemmas and legal challenges in the management of mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (mTBIs), focusing on issues of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, liability, compensation, and insurance. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis, we explore the current medical understanding of mTBIs, including diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, alongside the ethical considerations critical to patient care. Furthermore, we analyze medicolegal implications, highlighting the gaps and inconsistencies in existing legal frameworks that affect the management and protection of individuals with mTBIs. The paper proposes an integrated approach to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for enhanced clinical guidelines, legal reforms, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased research funding. Our findings underscore the importance of developing standardized protocols that incorporate ethical principles and legal safeguards, ensuring equitable and effective management of mTBIs. Recommendations for policy and practice reforms are offered to improve patient outcomes and navigate the ethical and legal complexities associated with mTBIs.
Keywords: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), Ethical considerations, Legal challenges, Patient autonomy, Informed consent, Liability and compensation, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Clinical guidelines, Medicolegal implications
DOI
https://doi.org/10.56082/annalsarscibio.2024.1.153
