Autonomy In Health Care

Autonomy is very important in healthcare today. Patient autonomy and professional autonomy are two things to be considered in the medical profession. Patient autonomy is the right of the patient to make decisions regarding their own healthcare. Professional autonomy on the other hand is the right of the healthcare provider to turn down treatments that are unrelated to the condition of the patient and/or a concern for safety. Taking into consideration Rule Utilitarianism, Kant’s Deontology, Virtue Ethics and the Feminist Theory of power relationships, Dr. Brown should not renew Mr. Noble’s prescription for tranquillizers until there is evident proof that it is treating his condition.

Rule Utilitarianism is a theory set on rules followed by the norm. It is simply a belief that following a set of rules will maximize utility on the whole based on the course of action. Rule Utilitarianism is rather an impartial decision because it doesn’t make a judgment based on an individual situation for an immediate solution, but looks at it entirely. Dr. Brown should not write Mr. Noble another prescription for tranquilizers because he is not using it to cure his condition. Also it could lead to a series of side effects such as liver damage and physical and psychological dependence. Furthermore, the repetitive use of minor tranquilizers can lead to an abuse in its use causing him to become addicted. There is clear evidence that past therapy has reduced his trauma and stress, decreasing his chest pains. Mr. Noble shouldn’t have to use tranquillizers when he can get better naturally, instead of being a possible candidate for serious side effects. At the same time, according to Mr. Noble, the use of tranquilizers everyday is giving him immediate reli...

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...balance. Instead, to stabilize the power relationship, Dr. Brown has suggested that for the time being if he doesn’t prescribe the tranquilizers, while allowing Mr. Noble to experience therapy again, and if there really is a demonstrated basis for the efficacy of tranquilizers that he would prescribe it. This seems to be a fair balance between the doctor-patient relationship as Dr. Brown has suggested options to the patient that would rather benefit him; to get rid of his chest pains through a more safe manner.

In conclusion, Dr. Brown should not prescribe Mr. Noble the tranquilizers. Assessing the reasons as to why Dr. Brown should prescribe Mr. Noble the tranquilizers and also as to why he shouldn’t prescribe the tranquilizers, the latter is well supported by Rule Utilitarianism, Kant’s Deontology, Virtue Ethics and the Feminist Theory of power relationships.