Which concept entails respecting a patient’s right to make decisions about their own treatment?

Which concept entails respecting a patient’s right to make decisions about their own treatment?

• A. Autonomy
• B. Paternalism
• C. Beneficence
• D. Nonmaleficence

Answer: (A)

Respecting a patient’s right to decide about their own treatment is autonomy. Autonomy means individuals have the capacity and freedom to make informed choices about their health care. In practice, clinicians provide information, discuss options, obtain informed consent, and must honor the patient’s decisions even if they would choose differently. Paternalism would override the patient’s choice for what’s believed to be the patient’s own good, which clashes with autonomy. Beneficence focuses on acting in the patient’s best interests, and nonmaleficence centers on not causing harm; both can guide care, but they don’t specifically emphasize honoring the patient’s own decisions like autonomy does.

Respecting a patient’s right to decide about their own treatment is autonomy. Autonomy means individuals have the capacity and freedom to make informed choices about their health care. In practice, clinicians provide information, discuss options, obtain informed consent, and must honor the patient’s decisions even if they would choose differently.

Paternalism would override the patient’s choice for what’s believed to be the patient’s own good, which clashes with autonomy. Beneficence focuses on acting in the patient’s best interests, and nonmaleficence centers on not causing harm; both can guide care, but they don’t specifically emphasize honoring the patient’s own decisions like autonomy does.