title: Patient autonomy naturalized.
abstract: Traditional informed consent often promotes passive acquiescence rather than active exercise of autonomy. A more natural biologically based model of autonomy is needed, a model that both recognizes the biological roots and therapeutic benefits of active confident choices among real alternatives, and offers substantive guidelines for promoting patient autonomy. A biological model of patient autonomy explains the value of information to patients, outlines the circumstances under which patients make effective choices, and suggests complementary roles for patients and professional caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Youngstown State University, OH 44555, USA. bnwaller@aol.com
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Waller
mesh_terms: D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016743:Mental Competency; D010358:Patient Participation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D014481:United States