Is Informed Consent Still Central to Medical Ethics Truth in Advertising…when I

Question

Is Informed Consent Still Central to Medical Ethics

Truth in Advertising…when I was on the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Bob Arnold and Chuck Lidz were in my Department. Hence, I understand the argument for "valid" informed consent.

According to your book, “…the concept of informed consent, from Western political and ethical theories that place a high value on individual self determination [autonomy] remains a central principle in the United States. Cultural groups who have different traditions may not entirely share this value. In fact, Bioethicist Ezekiel Emmanuel has stated that we, in the United States, are “drunk on autonomy”.

Based upon the readings, do you support the position of Arnold/Lidz or O’Neill? In a modern society, has patient autonomy and self-determination “run its course”? Does “Trust” trump “Autonomy”; if so - how, if not - why?

Explanation / Answer

Yes, informed consent is still central to medical ethics. Competenet patients have to be given appropriate information by the health care providers. As per the ethical code of conduct, patients should be allowed to make an informed choice whether to accept or refuse a particular treatment. The health care providers should inform the patient about the nature of the medical procedure, available alternatives, benefits, costs and risks of each alternative.

Informed consent is still central to medical ethics as the principle of patient autonomy and basic human rights are still valid and relevant. Patients cannot be forced to act in a particular way.

I support the position of Bob Arnold and Chuck Lidz. Arnold and Lidz claims that informed consent is essential and patient autonomy must be promoted despite various difficulties in implementation. Onora O’Neill is against informed consent as she is of the opinion that informed consent empowers the patient to a fault and makes the relationship between a patient and the physician an automated formailty. I disagree with her as the physician still has the upper hand due to his/her education, knowledge, specialization and experience.

No,  patient autonomy and self-determination has not run its course. In fact in the age of consumer driven health care, patient autonomy, to a certain degree, is important. However, in the field of health care, trust will usually trump autonomy. This is because the healthcare providers are in a better position to determine what is best for the patient and even the patients are aware of this situation.

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