In assessing the philosophical validity of the concept of autonomy in the delivery of healthcare. There are many fundamental issues to address. Due to the current situation in healthcare; the idea of the individual taking control of their own decisions would appear to be the fundamental form of autonomy. However, a question could be asked as to what would happen if the wrong decision is made or unable to make a decision? Using specific examples such as religion, mental capacity, and age, this essay will explore philosophical ideology focussed on the validity of autonomy within the provision of healthcare. Within this context, is there an effective model that can be used? For making decisions for the individual and other autonomous agents to …show more content…
However, this change and adaptation to the modern times have caused patients to experience things differently within the healthcare system “The medical profession has accordingly had to adapt to the demise of the traditional sick role. We no longer expect the subservient patient to submit to our bedside ministrations.” this has now changed the way hospitals are affected it is no longer a case of “the doctor knows best” but what is best for the individual. This allows the individual to have the choice over the deliverance of their healthcare; meaning if they do not want something they can make that decision …show more content…
This is a vital importance due to the age of consent and who should be able to make decisions on behalf of the individual who cannot legally give consent. If it's not, the individual should be allowed to have a say in what is happening to them and if so should be done by the standard philosophical code of conduct that can be applied to this situation. How could people abuse autonomy? Due to the nature of autonomy, it is meant to be used for the participant in healthcare. An important factor in this is age; due to legal rights how should a guardian of a child under the age of consent act? Linking back to the previous case, if the person was under the age of consent the parents would refuse a blood transfusion due to religious belief. Many questions can be raised due to this. One question is should the parents/guardians be allowed to make that decision? This is where we begin to analyse Immanuel Kant; within his book Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, he discusses decision making and what factors should be taken into consideration. One thing stated within this book is “We are equal to God, not merely his servile subjects, because of our moral autonomy” (Kant, Wood and Schneewind, 2002, p107) this quote shows when we are making philosophical decisions we should not include God/religion in the formula as this quote shows that humans decision making does not need
Alan Goldman argues that medical paternalism is unjustified except in very rare cases. He states that disregarding patient autonomy, forcing patients to undergo procedures, and withholding important information regarding diagnoses and medical procedures is morally wrong. Goldman argues that it is more important to allow patients to have the ability to make autonomous decisions with their health and what treatment options if any they want to pursue. He argues that medical professionals must respect patient autonomy regardless of the results that may or may not be beneficial to a patient’s health. I will both offer an objection and support Goldman’s argument. I will
Patient autonomy was the predominant concern during the time of publication of both Ezekiel and Linda Emanuel, and Edmund D. Pellegrino and David C. Thomasma's texts. During that time, the paternalistic model, in which a doctor uses their skills to understand the disease and choose a best course of action for the patient to take, had been replaced by the informative model, one which centered around patient autonomy. The latter model featured a relationship where the control over medical decisions was solely given to the patient and the doctor was reduced to a technical expert. Pellegrino and Thomasma and the Emanuel’s found that the shift from one extreme, the paternalistic model, to the other, the informative model, did not adequately move towards an ideal model. The problem with the informative model, according to the Emanuel’s, is that the autonomy described is simple, which means the model “presupposes that p...
Within public health, the issue of paternalism has become a controversial topic. Questions about the ethics of public health are being asked. The role of ethics in medical practice is now receiving close scrutiny, so it is timely that ethical concepts, such as autonomy and paternalism, be re-examined in their applied context (Med J Aust. 1994). Clinically, patients are treated on a one on one basis, but public health’s obligation is toward the protection and promotion of an entire population’s health. So, based on this difference, the gaping questions targeting public health now becomes, under what conditions is it right to intervene and override an individuals’ autonomy? And if so, is the paternalistic intervention justified? Part of the concern
This provides people with control over their health care when they cannot speak for themselves. In other words, a health care directive is a legal document recognized by a legislative body to promote autonomy (The Health Care Directives Act, 1992). Autonomy is described as the quality to function independently (Mosby, 2013). Autonomy is the fundamental concept of health care directives, it allows people to openly express their personal values and beliefs, without judgement of health care decisions, “…autonomous decisions as those made intentionally and with substantial understanding and freedom from controlling influences” (Entwistle, Carter, Cribb, & McCaffery, 2010). When all information is provided, the individual can make an informed decision about their health care and have a right to no influencing factors. The health care directive document provide people the opportunity to consent to or refuse treatment and who will have the authority to make decisions on the individual’s behalf if unconscious, or mental incapacity arise (The Health Care Directives Act, 1992). In order to fully practice autonomy, especially in regards to health care directives, the appropriate mental development is key to comprehending
In this paper I am going to justify that the interdisciplinary team should support Ms. R’s decision to live at home alone using the ethical principles of autonomy and beneficence.
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political, and bioethical reasoning. Inside these connections, it is the limit of a sound individual to make an educated, unpressured decision. Patient autonomy can conflict with clinician autonomy and, in such a clash of values, it is not obvious which should prevail. (Lantos, Matlock & Wendler, 2011). In order to gain informed consent, a patient
Autonomy is another value that I cherish in patient care. Autonomy is descried as giving control and right to the individual to make choices (Cherry & Jacob, 2013). This is so important because nobody wants to lose their ability to make choices and make decisions. Autonomy is letting the patients make their decisions concerning their diagnosis and how health care is provided for them. To me giving the patient the ability to exercising autonomy is empowerment. For instance, I like to give my patients the choice to make decisions from the very little things such as if they would like to shave by themselves or would have someone shave for them, to the not so little choices as to making major decisions about diagnosis and treatment
In his essay, “The Refutation of Medical Paternalism,” Alan Goldman discusses his argument against differentiation in the roles between physicians and patients. He says the physician may act against a patient’s will in order treat the patient in their best interest. Goldman makes his whole argument around the assumption that a person’s right to decide his or her future is the most important and fundamental right, saying, “the autonomous individual is the source of those other goods he enjoys, and so is not to be sacrificed for the sake of them.” His claim is that most people agree that they are the best judges of their own self-interest and there is an innate value in the freedom to determine their own future. On these principles, Goldman starts by discussing conditions under which paternalism may be justified.
Autonomy is identified as another professional value and one that the nurse must possess. Autonomy is the right to self-determination. Nurse’s respect the patient’s right to make a decision regarding their healthcare. Practical application includes, educating patients and their families on their choices, honoring their right to make their own decision and stay in control of their health, developing care plans in collaboration with the patient (Taylor, C. Lillis, C. LeMone, P. Lynn, P,
The aim of the analysis is meant to clarify the meaning of the word autonomy thereby the introduction of a concept. Clarification is needed as the word autonomy does have several meanings and not all apply to medical terminology, some meanings span to philosophy, technology and general decision making. The medical meaning is significant in the care of patients for improved outcomes through choice and educated decision making on the part of the patient. Autonomy can be empowering as a concept or even as a single word.
The principle of autonomy states, that an individual’s decision must be respected in all cases, also an individual can act freely in accordance to their plan. For example, in a case where a patient and family demands to continue medical or surgical care and a physician want the patient to stop further treatment. In this case the patient’s choice will matter the most. According to the principle of autonomy it will be the patients and family choice whether to continue or discontinue treatment. The principle of beneficence which states, “one must promote good” comes into play in this case. In accordance to beneficence the patient will not benefit from the physicians responses personally. He/she will not benefit from harming her body with more surgeries. The patient will be going against the principle non-maleficence, which states that “one must cause no harm to an individual” by causing harm to herself. In this case the physician is justified in his/her actions by discontinuing medical or surgical care to the patient because it will not it her. These principles are what healthcare provider use to help and guide patients with the ...
Autonomy is a principle that allows a patient or authorizing agent to make decisions regarding healthcare decisions without any outside influence (Burkhardt & Nathanial, 2014, p.440) As the nurse, it is important to understand
Medicine as a Form of Social Control This critique will examine the view that medicine is a form of social control. There are many theorists that have different opinions on this view. This critique will discuss each one and their different views. We live in a society where there is a complex division of labour and where enormous varieties of specialist healing roles are recognised.
There will always be a need for healthcare as people are always sick in some way or they are out of balance with their health in some way. There are so many specialty areas in the healthcare field that it allows for a variety of specialists to be apart of a patient’s decision making process. It does pay to be knowledgable. Take the time to read each one of the patient’s rights and under-stand what it means to have a choice.
Sutrop M. (2011) How to avoid a dichotomy between autonomy and beneficence: from liberalism to communitarianism and beyond. Journal of Internal Medicine. 269(4):375-79. Retrieved from http:// onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jim.2011.269.issue-4/issuetoc