Default

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Default (Medicine)

Default (pronounced: /dɪˈfɔːlt/) in the context of medicine refers to the pre-set course of action or standard that is taken when no alternative has been specified by the patient or healthcare provider.

Etymology

The term "default" originates from the Old French defaillir, which means "to fail". In the context of medicine, it refers to the standard or "fail-safe" course of action.

Related Terms

  • Informed Consent: This is the process by which a healthcare provider educates a patient about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a given procedure or intervention. The default course of action is often taken when informed consent cannot be obtained.
  • Standard of Care: This refers to the appropriate course of action or health care that a patient should receive under given clinical circumstances. In many cases, the default treatment is considered the standard of care.
  • Medical Ethics: This is a system of moral principles that apply values and judgments to the practice of medicine. The concept of default often comes into play in discussions of medical ethics, particularly in situations where a patient is unable to make decisions for themselves.
  • Advance Directive: This is a legal document in which a person specifies what actions should be taken for their health if they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves because of illness or incapacity. The default course of action may be overridden by an advance directive.

See Also

External links

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