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Patients' rights in Japan: progress and resistance.
1Advanced Research Center for Human Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal
|November 4, 1994
Summary
Patient rights in Japan, including informed consent, have evolved since 1968. Recent court decisions show growing acceptance and understanding of these crucial patient rights.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Bioethics
- Legal Medicine
Background:
- The discourse on patient rights in Japan originated in 1968, sparked by a case involving a surgeon's alleged violation of an organ donor's right to life.
- The 1980s and early 1990s witnessed a significant increase in documents advocating for and defining patient rights.
Observation:
- The principle of informed consent, a cornerstone of patient rights, is gaining traction in Japan.
- Historically, emphasis has been limited on the patient's "appreciation" of medical information and the "voluntariness" of their decisions.
Findings:
- Despite past limitations, recent judicial rulings demonstrate a positive shift in the recognition and comprehension of informed consent in Japan.
- These legal developments signify progress in aligning Japanese medical practices with international patient rights standards.
Implications:
- The evolving legal landscape suggests a future where patient autonomy and understanding are more deeply integrated into medical decision-making in Japan.
- This progress in patient rights discourse and legal recognition may influence future healthcare policies and ethical guidelines within the country.
Keywords:
Professional Patient Relationship