Adolescent Objection to Surgery: A Careful Evaluation of Current and Future Interests

This is a narrative reflection of the miscommunicated care provided to the author’s family member, Gracie. Gracie is an adolescent who experienced a troubling medical crisis, laden with uncertainty. The author is a clinician-family member whose insight Gracie and her family sought in navigating the erosion of trust that occurred primarily due to “miscommunicated care,” meaning care that was provided in such a way that it not only obscured the good intentions of Gracie’s medical team, but also neglected the real needs of Gracie and her mother. With Gracie’s permission, I tell her story from my perspective, to reflect on how miscommunicated care can be a disorienting experience for patients and family members, and how it is ultimately patients and family members who bear the associated burdens and harms.