Institute:Office of National Coordinator (ONC) Workforce Training Curriculum
Component:The Culture of Health Care
Unit:Ethics and Professionalism
Lecture:Ethics and professionalism
Slide content:Respect for Autonomy Autonomy = Self-governance Respect for autonomy = Patients have the right to make their own decisions without undue influence Health care decisions are voluntary Foundation of informed consent 6
Slide notes:Generally, autonomy means people have the right to make their own decisions. This concept is often called self-governance. In the health care setting, respect for autonomy means that health care professionals must recognize that patients have the right to make their own treatment decisions based on their individual preferences and beliefs. Respect for autonomy also includes the idea that health care decisions are entirely voluntary. Health care providers must not put excessive pressure on patients to make a particular choice or submit to treatments. The principle of respect for autonomy is the ethical basis for the concept of informed consent. Informed consent means that the patient knows, understands, and accepts the risks and benefits of treatment. This concept is discussed in more detail in a later lecture. 6