Question

Why is respecting autonomy so important to the future of healthcare?

Your response must be at least one complete paragraph.

Answer 1

A patient’s independence is traditionally the highest priority in American bioethics . American bioethics circumscribes the role of others who might influence the patient to make a choice that does not put his own wishes or best interests first. Although this emphasis is intended to prevent patients from being coerced, especially by medical professionals, it ignores that a patient is part of a family. Patients often wish to take their family members’ opinions into account when making medical decisions, as they would with many other important decisions. Respecting patient autonomy thus includes respecting both how patients wish to make a decision and the decision made, even if the decision is to allow their family’s desires to supersede their own. The physician-patient relationship is a fiduciary relationship in which the physician is obligated to act in the patient’s interests, with respect for the patient’s autonomy. Physicians are also bound by patient-physician confidentiality. When an autonomous patient’s stated wishes and actions are not aligned, the physician must both respect the patient’s decision and keep his wishes confidential if he has asked her not to disclose them.