Patient Autonomy

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the meaning and significance of patient autonomy and the way in which it relates to medical paternalism. It attempts to show how the case for patient autonomy is not only ethically valid, but also essential for the moral and practical balance in the medical profession. It also explores how underlying this view is the fact that the issue of patient autonomy does not exist in isolation or in the medical field alone, but relates to other issues and ethical problems in the society at large. These larger issues refer to various forms of control and authoritarianism, which act against personal liberty and freedom.

From the Paper:

"The concept of and motivation for patient autonomy is best understood by understanding the meaning of the term medical paternity. Paternity is a concept that is allied to a wider and predominantly contemporary problem, namely the world wide reaction against forms of control and dominance from persons, associations or groups that are not transparent and open in their dealings. The term paternalism carries with it many loaded meanings based on restriction and control, particularly pertaining to information. The term has been deconstructed in many spheres, including the field of medicine. This deconstruction aims at exposing the hidden layers of hegemony and biased authoritarianism that the term implies."

More papers on Patient Autonomy:

• Analytical Essay # 136424 : "Patient Autonomy in Europe"
• Term Paper # 134972 : "Patient Autonomy and Decision-Making"
• Term Paper # 105747 : "The Doctrine of Informed Consent and Patient Autonomy"

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