Medical decision and patient's preference: 'much ethics' and more trust always needed

Int J Med Sci. 2011;8(4):351-2. doi: 10.7150/ijms.8.351. Epub 2011 May 31.

Abstract

There is much discussion on medical ethics literature regarding the importance of the patients' right for self-determination. We discuss some of the limitations of patient's autonomy with the aim to draw attention to the ethical complexity of medical decision making in the everyday clinical practice.

Keywords: autonomy; informed consent; medical decision making.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Critical Care / ethics
  • Decision Making / ethics*
  • Empathy / ethics
  • Ethics, Medical*
  • Humans
  • Informed Consent
  • Life Support Care / ethics
  • Mental Competency
  • Patient Participation / psychology
  • Patient Rights / ethics*
  • Personal Autonomy*
  • Physician-Patient Relations / ethics
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement
  • Trust*