Autonomy and Multiculturalism

Individual patient autonomy is a core ethical consideration in Western bioethics, which has traditionally referred to respecting the ability of capable patients to formulate their own medical decisions. Increasing cultural diversity within the US warrants transition to medical models aligned with moral pluralism and a relational approach to autonomy, focused on the patient as embedded within a social network, with family as a central component of decision making. Standardized cultural assessments and increased provider training in cultural competence and humility can assist in addressing cultural gaps in mental health care to reduce barriers in mental health care access among minorities.