Patients' responsibilities in medical ethics

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Bioethics
• Philosophy of Medicine

Background:

• Traditional medical ethics emphasizes patient autonomy but often interprets it narrowly as decision participation.
• A paternalistic approach persists, with doctors primarily responsible for protecting patients from decision consequences.
• Current ethical frameworks present a one-sided view of duties, predominantly burdening physicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To challenge the one-sided view of duties in medical ethics.
• To re-evaluate patient autonomy beyond mere participation, incorporating acceptance of consequences.
• To explore the ethical obligations of patients, even when vulnerable.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of medical ethics principles.
• Ethical reasoning applied to patient autonomy and responsibility.
• Exploration of general ethical theories to inform patient duties.

Main Results:

• Patient autonomy should encompass willingness to accept consequences, not just decision-making.
• Vulnerability does not exempt patients from ethical obligations.
• Patient responsibilities stem from self-care, duties to others, citizenship, and seeking advice.

Conclusions:

• Medical ethics requires a more balanced perspective on duties, acknowledging patient responsibilities.
• Recognizing patient obligations can counterbalance the physician's helper role.
• A revised ethical framework promotes shared responsibility in the doctor-patient relationship.