An Egalitarian Perspective on Information Sharing: The Example of Health Care Priorities

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Medical Law
• Health Care Policy

Background:

• Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement in healthcare.
• Current practices often limit information disclosure to clinically actionable data.
• Patients may benefit from understanding underlying healthcare priorities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for a paradigm shift in patient information disclosure.
• To challenge the traditional emphasis on 'actionability' of information.
• To promote transparency and respect for patient autonomy.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of ethical principles and legal obligations.
• Argumentation for a recalibration of the burden of proof in information disclosure.
• Philosophical exploration of patient rights and physician responsibilities.

Main Results:

• Withholding non-actionable but relevant information conflicts with the principle of honesty.
• Physicians should justify excluding information rather than justifying its inclusion.
• Transparency empowers patients with a comprehensive understanding of their healthcare situation.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare systems should move beyond 'actionability' to ensure full patient comprehension.
• Respect for patients as moral agents requires comprehensive and honest information sharing.
• A shift in the burden of proof supports greater patient empowerment and trust.