Medical Paternalism Research Paper

215 Words1 Pages
Conventional wisdom use to hold that the “doctor knows what is best for the patient”, leading to a paternalistic and unbalanced relationship between most physicians and patients. This idea of medical paternalism stems from the Hippocratic oath which states that “ [a physician] will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to [his] ability and judgment”. The Hippocratic oath as historically said by all physicians and medical students is based on a foundation of beneficence yet the oath does not emphasize the personal autonomy of the patient. The oath focuses on the characteristics of a doctor and duty of a doctor yet doesn’t mention the role of doctor in respecting the patients wishes. This principle of paternalism was accepted