The Different Faces of Autonomy: Patient Autonomy in Ethical Theory and Hospital Practice (Library of Ethics and Applied Philosophy Book 13)

Patient autonomy is a much discussed and debated subject in medical ethics, as well as in healthcare practice, medical law, and healthcare policy. This book provides a detailed and nuanced analysis of both the concept of autonomy and the principle of respect for autonomy, in an accessible style. The unique feature of this book is that it combines empirical research into hospital practice with thorough philosophical analyses. As such, it is an example of a new movement in applied ethics, that of 'empirical ethics'. The key themes are informed consent and medical decision making, personal well-being, competence, paternalism and decision making for incompetent patients. Much attention is also devoted to autonomy in non-decision making situations - patient control over small everyday aspects of care, authenticity and existential aspects of illness, autonomy and the 'ethics of care', and the relationship between autonomy and trust in the physician-patient relationship. This book will be of interest to those working or studying in the field of medical ethics and applied ethics but also to healthcare professionals and health policy makers.

patient Autonomy Is A Much Discussed And Debated Subject In Medical Ethics, As Well As In Healthcare Practice, Medical Law, And Healthcare Policy. This Book Provides A Detailed And Nuanced Analysis Of Both The Concept Of Autonomy And The Principle Of Respect For Autonomy, In An Accessible Style. The Unique Feature Of This Book Is That It Combines Empirical Research Into Hospital Practice With Thorough Philosophical Analyses. As Such, It Is An Example Of A New Movement In Applied Ethics, That Of 'empirical Ethics'.

the Key Themes Are Informed Consent And Medical Decision Making, Personal Well-being, Competence, Paternalism And Decision Making For Incompetent Patients. Much Attention Is Also Devoted To Autonomy In Non-decision Making Situations - Patient Control Over Small Everyday Aspects Of Care, Authenticity And Existential Aspects Of Illness, Autonomy And The 'ethics Of Care', And The Relationship Between Autonomy And Trust In The Physician-patient Relationship.

this Book Will Be Of Interest To Those Working Or Studying In The Field Of Medical Ethics And Applied Ethics But Also To Healthcare Professionals And Health Policy Makers.

Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Philosophical and Ethical Perspectives on Autonomy....Pages 1-22 Autonomy in Medical Ethics: Issues of Informed Consent....Pages 23-44 Method....Pages 45-62 Autonomy in Hospital Practice: Results of the Initial Analysis....Pages 63-71 What’s There to Decide for Mr. Tas?....Pages 73-93 What is Best for Mr. West?....Pages 95-114 Who Should Decide for Mrs. Jaspers?....Pages 115-136 Who Cares for Mrs. Dekker’s Autonomy?....Pages 137-155 Mr. Boskoop and Mrs. Huisman: Control, Trust and Autonomy....Pages 157-178 Conclusions....Pages 179-196 Back Matter....Pages 197-211