Abstract
The notion of autonomy is frequently used in ethical debates and taken for granted as a desirable value in medical practice. However, there is little consensus about what this term actually means. This article reviews the concept of autonomy within philosophical tradition and historical context. The second article in this series discusses the varieties of autonomy within clinical interaction and factors affecting the optimization of patient autonomy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | C190-2 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | British Journal of Hospital Medicine |
| Volume | 73 |
| Issue number | Suppl. 12 |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Dec 2012 |
Keywords
- Ethics, Medical
- Humans
- Patient Rights
- Personal Autonomy
- Physician-Patient Relations
- Principle-Based Ethics