Autonomy
Autonomy
Autonomy (pronounced: aw-TAWN-uh-mee) is a term derived from the Greek words 'autos' meaning 'self' and 'nomos' meaning 'law'. It refers to the capacity of an individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision independently.
Etymology
The term 'Autonomy' has its roots in the Greek language. The word is a combination of two Greek words: 'autos' which means 'self' and 'nomos' which means 'law'. Thus, the term literally translates to 'self-law' or 'self-rule'.
Definition
In the medical context, Autonomy is one of the four fundamental ethical principles in medicine. It refers to the right of a patient to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. This includes the right to refuse or choose their treatment.
Related Terms
- Informed Consent: This is a process in which a healthcare provider educates a patient about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a given procedure or intervention. The patient must be competent to make a decision and give consent voluntarily for the process to be considered valid.
- Beneficence: This principle states that healthcare providers have a duty to benefit the patient and to take steps to prevent or remove harm from the patient.
- Non-maleficence: This principle requires that healthcare providers do no harm to their patients, either intentionally or unintentionally.
- Justice: In healthcare, this principle refers to the fair distribution of scarce health resources, and the decision of who gets what treatment (fairness and equality).
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Autonomy
- Wikipedia's article - Autonomy
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