RiskBites: Patient Autonomy

Not only is patient autonomy one of the four underpinning principles of medical ethics, but it is also a vital component of the consent process and patient care. Gone are the days of paternalism but can patient autonomy go too far.In this episode of RiskBites, Dr Kiran Keshwara and Dr Annalene Weston speak about our patient’s ability to choose or refuse treatment, based on the treatment options presented and the risks and limitations provided. They go on to discuss the impact that this can have on practitioners, utilising a case study from the Dental Protection Vault to highlight the importance of undertaking and documenting the consent process.