Doctors should give you information about a treatment’s side effects and if there are alternatives. This is done in order for you to decide whether or not you wish to undergo such treatment. This process of understanding the risks and benefits of treatment is known as informed consent. It is based on the moral and legal premise of patient autonomy. This is the right of patients to make decisions about their medical care without their health care provider trying to influence their decision. Patient autonomy does allow for health care providers to educate the patient but does not allow the health care provider to make the decision for the patient. You as the patient have the right to make decisions about your own health and medical conditions.
11
May
2010