Which patients are responsible for their illnesses?
Physicians must regularly make judgments as to the extent to which patients should be considered responsible for their symptoms. Such judgments have important social and treatment consequences for both physically and mentally disordered patients. A conceptual framework for assessing this type of responsibility is presented and the manner in which ascribing responsibility influences treatment is discussed.
Halleck
S L
SL
Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27514.
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004194:Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D014836:Volition