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Related Experiment Videos

Autonomy in medical ethics after O'Neill.

G M Stirrat1, R Gill

  • 1Centre for Ethics in Medicine University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. gstirrat@blueyonder.co.uk

Journal of Medical Ethics
|March 2, 2005
PubMed
Summary
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The dominant model of individual autonomy in bioethics is insufficient for medical practice. A revised, principled patient autonomy, emphasizing informed choice and consideration for others, is needed to restore the patient-doctor relationship.

Area of Science:

  • Bioethics
  • Medical Ethics
  • Philosophy of Medicine

Background:

  • The paradigm of individual autonomy has been dominant in bioethics.
  • Recent critiques suggest this paradigm is an aberrant application.
  • Conceptions of individual autonomy may not provide a sufficient ethical starting point in medical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the limitations of the individual autonomy paradigm in bioethics.
  • To propose a revised, principled definition of patient autonomy for the 21st century.
  • To examine the impact of the autonomy paradigm on the patient-doctor relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Critical analysis of the dominant individual autonomy paradigm in bioethics.
  • Engagement with Onora O'Neill's influential lectures on autonomy.
Keywords:
Professional Patient Relationship

Related Experiment Videos

  • Development of a revised, principled definition of patient autonomy.
  • Testing the revised definition against the patient-doctor relationship dynamics.

    • Main Results:

    • The dominant individual autonomy paradigm is an aberrant application and insufficient for medical ethics.
    • The paradigm has potentially harmed the patient-doctor relationship, replacing paternalism with bioethical paternalism.
    • Uncritical adherence to patient autonomy can lead to doctors abdicating their clinical responsibilities.

    Conclusions:

    • A revision of the operational definition of patient autonomy is necessary.
    • A principled patient autonomy requires sufficient, understandable information and space for responsible decision-making.
    • Restoring trust and a balanced patient-doctor relationship necessitates a more nuanced approach to autonomy in medical practice.