ABSTRACT
Medical care of adults with disabilities, especially those with intellectual disabilities, can be ethically difficult. Several questions arise frequently. Can we administer a life-saving treatment that could impact negatively the patient's quality of life when the patient isn't able to give consent? During this Covid-19 period, can the use of chemical or physical restraints be considered as mistreatment, whereas the aim is to protect others? These are situations where the ethical question holds a central role. Although each clinical situation is unique, this article highlights, through four clinical cases, the ethical principles that should guide physicians in their decision-making process. La prise en charge medicale des adultes en situation de handicap, notamment ceux souffrant de deficience mentale, peut se reveler difficile dun point de vue ethique. Plusieurs questions se posent frequemment. Peut-on proposer un traitement vital mais qui risque dimpacter la qualite de vie du patient sans pouvoir obtenir son consentement ? En periode de Covid-19, lutilisation de moyens de contention chimique ou physique peut-elle etre consideree comme de la maltraitance alors quon cherche a proteger autrui ? Autant de situations oo la question ethique prend une place centrale. Si chaque cas est evidemment different, nous vous proposons, a travers quatre vignettes cliniques, de mettre en lumiere les principes ethiques accompagnant le medecin dans son processus decisionnel.