Prudence in Shared Decision-Making: The Missing Link between the "Technically Correct" and the "Morally Good" in...

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Clinical Decision-Making
• Philosophy of Medicine

Background:

• Shared Decision-Making (SDM) is a cornerstone of modern physician-patient relationships.
• It balances physician expertise with patient autonomy and values.
• Ethical medical practice requires respecting both beneficence and patient self-determination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the ethical underpinnings of Shared Decision-Making.
• To examine the role of prudence in achieving morally sound medical decisions.
• To align the goals of medicine with the concept of a "good" healing decision.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of ethical principles in medicine.
• Philosophical examination of practical reason and prudence.
• Integration of Pellegrino and Thomasma's "proximate end of medicine" framework.

Main Results:

• SDM fosters a collaborative environment respecting complementary expertise.
• Prudence, refined through understanding clinical complexity and practical reason, guides ethical choices.
• Virtuous decision-making in medicine aligns with the chosen character of both patient and physician.

Conclusions:

• Shared Decision-Making is an ethically robust model for medical practice.
• Prudence is essential for navigating complex clinical situations toward morally "good" outcomes.
• Ethical medical decisions are intrinsically linked to personal values and the cultivation of virtuous character.