What does autonomy mean in healthcare ethics?

What does autonomy mean in healthcare ethics?

• A. Doing no harm
• B. Ability of the client to make personal decisions
• C. Keeping promises to patients
• D. Fair treatment in the use of resources

Answer: (B)

Autonomy means honoring the patient's right to decide what happens to their own body. In practice this rests on informed consent: the patient receives clear information about options, risks, benefits, and alternatives; they have the capacity to understand and reason about those options; their decision is voluntary and not coerced, and they can communicate their choice. When autonomy is respected, the clinician supports the patient’s decision even if it differs from medical advice and ensures the decision is properly documented. For example, a patient may choose to decline a treatment after weighing the options. This principle stands apart from other ethical duties: doing no harm reflects nonmaleficence, keeping promises reflects fidelity, and fair treatment in resource use reflects justice.

Autonomy means honoring the patient's right to decide what happens to their own body. In practice this rests on informed consent: the patient receives clear information about options, risks, benefits, and alternatives; they have the capacity to understand and reason about those options; their decision is voluntary and not coerced, and they can communicate their choice. When autonomy is respected, the clinician supports the patient’s decision even if it differs from medical advice and ensures the decision is properly documented. For example, a patient may choose to decline a treatment after weighing the options. This principle stands apart from other ethical duties: doing no harm reflects nonmaleficence, keeping promises reflects fidelity, and fair treatment in resource use reflects justice.