Gaining Autonomy In Health Care

From the moment we are born we are taught to be independent, taught that we should be self-reliant, and have autonomy. Autonomy is defined as the ability to be self-determining or self-governing. Gaining autonomy is one of many steps to gaining self-respect, self-esteem, and/or dignity. Dignity is a human beings inherent value and worth. And even though dignity may be considered subjective to many, autonomy, respect, empowerment, and communication are attributes that help define it. Autonomy in health care means that a mentally competent patient should be allowed to make their own informed decision on medical treatment (Jecker and Berniker 2015). Respect means proving privacy when needed, treating a patient as a person rather than as a disease, and taking into account any of their beliefs, religious or otherwise.

While communication helps build trust between physician and/or nurse and patient. Dignity is enforced when a person is given the choice to give birth at home vs. a hospital or chooses to receive an epidural vs. having a natural birth. Likewise, so is giving a person the choice to refuse a surgery or a life-saving procedure such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). So why is asking a physician for help to end the pain and suffering at the end of life, not an option or choice a mentally competent patient can make. I believe that physician assisted suicide should be an option in every state. I believe that a person who is dying, is in intolerable pain, and has the mental capacity to ask for assistance to end their suffering should have the choice to die without pain, with dignity, and on their own