Journal of Clinical Research & Bioethics

Abstract

Saving Life or Trumping Autonomy? A Question for Health Care Providers

Sobia Idrees and Wais Mohammad Qarani

With technological advancement, health care is becoming complex for the individuals and meeting individual expectations have become a great challenge for Health Care Providers (HCP). Health care providers face ethical dilemma in everyday situation for taking decision for patient’ better health outcomes. The aim of this paper is to highlight the controversy between giving patients’ autonomy in taking independent decisions and health care professionals’ expertise to breach patient autonomy in order to save a patient’s life and to provide maximum benefits to the patient. Moreover, this paper also highlights the significance of culturally sensitive care in health care setting. Research shows that in most of the situations, HCPs take decision in view of their expertise in the medical field. However, on many occasions, both HCP and patients are not satisfied with the decisions that are taken in the best interest of the patient.