Medical Paternalism or Patient Autonomy
Medical Paternalism or Patient Autonomy
Elizabeth Russell
D’ Youville College
PHI: 312 Bioethics
Julie Kirsch
October 29, 2014
A common and controversial issue facing many medical professionals is medical paternalism versus patient autonomy. At the heart of every practitioner/patient relationship is trust, and the duty to uphold the patient’s best interest both ethically and privately. These foundations seem basic on the surface, but underneath lies a much more complex issue. Medical paternalism can be defined as the intervening of a person’s decision making or actions for her own good.1 Oftentimes, medical paternalism can be considered as interfering with the patient’s autonomy and right to make an intentional, uninfluenced decision regarding her own medical care. Such interference can come in the form of decisions regarding the patient’s physical or psychological care. However, there must be certain caveats in which medical paternalism is unavoidable, and therefore acceptable as an act done in the patient’s best interest, while still holding true to the clinician’s obligation to the patient. This type of paternalism is referred to as weak paternalism.2 Vaughn brings up several cases in which minor children are subjected to the religious beliefs of parents and as a result are kept from receiving proper medical treatment that would save their lives. For instance, eleven year old Ian Landman who slipped into a diabetic coma and died.3 A six year old girl who was injured in a traffic accident and was given a lifesaving blood transfusion which was strictly forbidden by the religion of her parents.4 In both of these cases the children were subjected to beliefs in which they had no choice. Despite a parent’s right to make healthcare decisions regarding minor children, it is immoral to cause irreparable harm or death in the name of martyrdom to a child that does not have the capacity to make rational and informed decisions. In cases like this it is
Elizabeth Russell
D’ Youville College
PHI: 312 Bioethics
Julie Kirsch
October 29, 2014
A common and controversial issue facing many medical professionals is medical paternalism versus patient autonomy. At the heart of every practitioner/patient relationship is trust, and the duty to uphold the patient’s best interest both ethically and privately. These foundations seem basic on the surface, but underneath lies a much more complex issue. Medical paternalism can be defined as the intervening of a person’s decision making or actions for her own good.1 Oftentimes, medical paternalism can be considered as interfering with the patient’s autonomy and right to make an intentional, uninfluenced decision regarding her own medical care. Such interference can come in the form of decisions regarding the patient’s physical or psychological care. However, there must be certain caveats in which medical paternalism is unavoidable, and therefore acceptable as an act done in the patient’s best interest, while still holding true to the clinician’s obligation to the patient. This type of paternalism is referred to as weak paternalism.2 Vaughn brings up several cases in which minor children are subjected to the religious beliefs of parents and as a result are kept from receiving proper medical treatment that would save their lives. For instance, eleven year old Ian Landman who slipped into a diabetic coma and died.3 A six year old girl who was injured in a traffic accident and was given a lifesaving blood transfusion which was strictly forbidden by the religion of her parents.4 In both of these cases the children were subjected to beliefs in which they had no choice. Despite a parent’s right to make healthcare decisions regarding minor children, it is immoral to cause irreparable harm or death in the name of martyrdom to a child that does not have the capacity to make rational and informed decisions. In cases like this it is
References: Vaughn, L. (2013). Bioethics Principles, Issues, and Cases. New York: Oxford University Press.