PATIENT AUTONOMY IN HEALTHCARE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Patient autonomy is a fundamental principle in medical ethics, emphasizing the right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. This principle is grounded in the respect for individual dignity, personal freedom, and the right to self-determination. In modern healthcare systems, patient autonomy involves the provision of adequate information for informed consent, ensuring voluntary decision-making, assessing competence, and maintaining privacy. While respecting autonomy enhances patient dignity, promotes trust, and improves health outcomes, challenges such as cultural differences, cognitive impairments, and institutional constraints complicate its full implementation. Furthermore, conflicts between autonomy and other ethical principles like beneficence and justice often arise, especially in critical or end-of-life care. Legal frameworks supporting patient autonomy, such as informed consent laws and advance directives, aim to safeguard these rights. However, the practical application of autonomy requires ongoing education, cultural sensitivity, and a collaborative approach to decision-making. This review explores the importance of patient autonomy, identifies barriers to its realization, and suggests strategies to enhance its practice in healthcare settings, ultimately advocating for the continued respect of patients' rights in medical decision-making.