Subjectivity, decision and neurodegenerative diseases: Reflexions on the role of the clinical psychologist in medical decision making

Should a patient be forced to accept a treatment, especially when suffering from a neuro-degenerative disease? We argue that physicians, nurses and care givers should instead accept his or her choice in accordance with the principle that every patient is an autonomous person able to make a choice, even in case of declined cognition. Beside the legal obligation, we suggest a theoretical approach and focus on the practical impacts of the patient's decision. Our objective is to promote the value of ethical doubt and attentive listening to individual opinions, so as to improve the quality of the medical staffs work and reduce patients' distress when affected by fatal diseases. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.