Mr Kiichi Inarimori1
1Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
Biography:
Kiichi Inarimori is a PhD student at the Philosophy Department of Hokkaido University.
Abstract:
This paper examines the influence of the framing effect on the process of informed consent to "DNAR," which stands for "do not attempt resuscitation." Furthermore, this paper examines the ethical issues that arise from this effect in relation to the consent of patients and their families. The influence of option framing on human decision-making has been established since the seminal work of Tversky and Kahneman (1981). This suggests that individuals demonstrate a markedly different propensity to select a given option when it is presented as a potential gain or loss, even when the information provided about the option is essentially identical. A notable proportion of individuals demonstrate a proclivity to eschew the option that is portrayed as a loss, despite the fact that it is, in essence, identical to the choice in question. The impact of these framing effects has been identified in a wide range of domains, including healthcare decision-making. For example, research indicates that patients who are informed that the one-month survival rate following surgery is 90% and the mortality rate is 10% are more likely to decline surgery (McNeil et al., 1982). This study examines the impact of presenting DNAR as a "benefit" or "harm" to the patient on patient consent. Additionally, we examine how framing DNAR as "natural end-of-life care" affects patient consent. To this end, we have conducted an online experiment. Furthermore, in light of recent philosophical investigations into the influence of framing effects and informed consent in medical contexts, as exemplified by Chwang (2016) and Director (2023), this study aims to assess the potential for framing effects to impede the process of informed consent to DNAR.