Registration Link: For HKU members / Non-HKU members
Critical Care Fireside Chat Series
Advancing Patient Autonomy in Critical Illness and End-of-Life Care: Beyond Best Medical Interests
Co-organisers:
Medical Ethics and Humanities Unit, HKUMed
Critical Care Medicine Unit, HKUMed
Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, HKU
Date: 30 October 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 pm HKT
Venue: 3SR-SR4 = Seminar Room 4 (Room 403), 4/F, HKUMed Academic Building, 3 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam
Registration Link: For HKU members / Non-HKU members
Abstract:
The principle of patient autonomy is a cornerstone of modern medical ethics, yet its application within the high-stakes environment of critical care and end-of-life decision-making presents profound challenges. When patients face life-threatening conditions, their capacity to make decisions may be compromised, and clinicians often default to a ‘best medical interests’ standard. While well-intentioned, this approach can risk sidelining the patient’s own values, life goals, and personal definition of a meaningful existence.
This seminar will explore the ethical imperative to move beyond a narrow, purely clinical interpretation of ‘best interests’. It will advocate for a more robust, person-centred framework that genuinely prioritises patient autonomy, even when a patient’s wishes appear to conflict with conventional medical objectives. Through the examination of real-world and hypothetical case studies, we will dissect the complexities that arise when a patient’s expressed wishes or advance directives challenge the medical team’s recommendations. Subsequently, we will share insights from our ongoing interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange (KE) work.
The seminar is designed to be interactive and will culminate in an extended open discussion. Attendees will be invited to share their own experiences, challenge the presented concepts, and contribute to a vital dialogue on how we, as a healthcare community, can better honour the autonomy of our most vulnerable patients at the end of life.
Speakers:
Prof Emmanuel Cheung
Clinical Assistant Professor of Practice, Critical Care Medicine Unit, SClinMed, HKUMed
Research Fellow, Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, HKU
Prof Emmanuel Cheung is an intensive care physician with a special interest in medical ethics and end-of-life care. His current appointments include Clinical Assistant Professor of Practice at HKUMed, Honorary Specialist at Queen Mary Hospital, and Research Fellow at the HKU Centre for Medical Ethics and Law. A passionate advocate for a humanistic approach to clinical care, his research focuses on post-intensive care syndrome and geriatric critical care. He is also a keen supporter of medical ethics and humanities education for HKUMed MBBS students.
Dr Polly Zeng
Post-doctoral Fellow, Critical Care Medicine Unit, SClinMed, HKUMed
Dr Polly Zeng is currently a Post-doctoral Fellow at Critical Care Medicine Unit, The University of Hong Kong, where she earned her PhD degree. Her research focuses on leveraging digital health technology to provide behavioral support for post-discharge patients, with the goal of improving clinical outcomes. She has extensive experience in randomized controlled trials, qualitative research, and population-based surveys. Dr Zeng is now dedicated to advancing research on end-of-life care, advance care planning, and post-intensive care syndrome in critically ill patients.
Moderator:
Dr Olivia Ngan
Research Assistant Professor, Medical Ethics & Humanities Unit, SClinMed, HKUMed
Research Fellow, Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, HKU
Welcome to join us!
Enquiry: Please contact Mr Edison Cheng (mehu@hku.hk).