PATIENT AUTONOMY AND INFORMED CONSENT: BALANCING SELF- DETERMINATION WITH MEDICAL RESPONSIBILITY IN HEALTHCARE DECISION-MAKING

Abstract

The primacy of patient autonomy in contemporary healthcare has established it as a bedrock principle, reflecting the right of individuals to self-determination in medical decision-making. Autonomy is deeply rooted in the philosophical ideal of self- determination, underscoring the patient's capacity to make independent choices regarding their health, free from external coercion. This principle is operationalized through informed consent, a mechanism that obligates healthcare providers to disclose comprehensive information about treatment options, risks, benefits, and alternatives, thereby enabling informed decision-making. Informed consent serves as a dual construct—a legal mandate and an ethical safeguard of patient autonomy. It signifies a departure from the historic dominance of medical paternalism, which often prioritized physician judgment over patient preference. Yet, in practice, achieving a balance between patient autonomy and the duty of medical responsibility is fraught with complexity. The aim of this study is to critically examine the extent to which patient autonomy can be preserved in healthcare decision- making without compromising the ethical duty of healthcare providers to ensure patient welfare. The methodology adopted by this work is doctrinal method of legal research. The source of data collection for this work are primary sources of law such as statutes and conventions, case laws; and secondary sources of laws such as internet materials, journals articles and textbooks of renowned authors. Through a comprehensive analysis of relevant statutes, international legal instruments, case laws, journal articles etc., the researcher found that absolute autonomy is challenging when patients are unable to fully comprehend the ramifications of medical decisions. In cases involving mental incapacity or refusal of life-saving treatment, healthcare providers must navigate ethical dilemmas where protecting patient well-being might necessitate overriding absolute autonomy. The researcher recommended among other things enhancing informed consent processes through simplified communication strategies, providing decision-making support for patients, and creating guidelines to manage situations where autonomy conflicts with medical responsibility