Towards authentic conversations. Authenticity in the patient-professional relationship

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Existential Philosophy

Background:

• The concept of authenticity, rooted in existentialism, has implications for medical ethics.
• Understanding authenticity is crucial for navigating the patient-professional relationship and ethical decision-making in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the significance of existential authenticity in medical ethics.
• To analyze the impact of authenticity on patient-professional interactions and medical ethical decision-making.
• To propose an alternative conception of authenticity to address limitations in current medical ethical discourse.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the existential notion of authenticity.
• Examination of its implications for patient-professional relationships.
• Development of an alternative, dialogue-centered concept of authenticity.

Main Results:

• The traditional view of authenticity emphasizes individual responsibility but can be counterproductive to authentic patient-professional interaction and ethical deliberation.
• An alternative view defines authenticity as participation in a dialogue respecting mutual subjectivity.
• This dialogue-based approach fosters trust, mutual responsibility, and enhances shared decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Rethinking authenticity beyond individual sovereignty is essential for advancing medical ethics.
• An alternative, dialogical authenticity can overcome patient-professional alienation.
• This revised understanding promotes more effective and ethical healthcare interactions.