Ethically defensible decision-making in health care: challenges to traditional practice

The concept of paternalism is deeply entrenched in health care. Decision-making about health care can be extremely difficult at times, and many competing interests may influence the outcomes. However, ethically defensible practice aligns itself with acknowledging the patient's prima facie right to be treated as an autonomous individual. This includes the patient's right to make informed decisions or to decide that other(s), such as the close family, should make decisions on his or her behalf. (author abstract)