Article on patient autonomy and how it's transforming the patient-physican relationship

[Webdog]

The New Age of Patient Autonomy
Implications for the Patient-Physician Relationship
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2707954

The rejection of medical paternalism in favor of respect for patient autonomy transformed the patient-physician relationship. Historically, medicine and society subscribed to the ethical norm that the physician’s main duty was to promote the patient’s welfare, even at the expense of the latter’s autonomy. A central assumption of the paternalistic framework was that physicians, because of their medical expertise, knew best what was in the best interest of patients. Accordingly, physicians decided which interventions would promote patients’ welfare; patients, for their part, were expected to comply.

In recent years, however, widespread access to the internet and social media has reduced physicians’ dominion over medical information and, increasingly, over patients’ access to medical products and services. It is no longer the case that patients simply visit their physicians, describe their symptoms, and wait for the differential diagnosis. Today, some patients arrive at the physician’s office having thoroughly researched their symptoms and identified possible diagnoses. Indeed, some patients who have lived with rare diseases may even know more about their conditions than some of the physicians with whom they consult.

Unmediated access to medical information and to an increasing array of health-related products and services has radically altered the balance of power between physician and patient. But while patients can research their symptoms and order many laboratory and genetic tests online, they will continue to depend on their physicians for advice, procedural expertise, and access to restricted medical services. By appreciating how the internet, social media, and other factors are transforming medical relationships, physicians will be better able to meet their patients’ health care needs in the age of enhanced patient autonomy.

 

[Peter T]

Stating the obvious for readers here:

Can someone please inform physicians that we have a 'new age of patient autonomy' particularly in relation to ME/CFS, to those misdiagnosed with the bizarre unscientific psychiatric diagnosis of MUS ('medically unexplained symptoms' syndrome) and the associated pejorative labels such as functional, somatoform, conversion, etc and to those women covertly regarded as 'hysterical'?

Certainly the BPS (bio psychosocial) cult are fighting a strong rearguard action against patient autonomy with active campaigning against patients who are portrayed as 'antiScience', 'vexatious' and as 'militant activists'; this action over and above press briefing and publicity campaigns, uses the weapons of sectioning, of child protection orders and arbitrary malicious diagnoses including such as 'persistent refusal syndrome' intended to disempower and devalue the patient. Cult members also seek to punish such patients through supporting restriction of benefits and insurance payments and denial of access to non psychiatric medical services.

Engaging in rational debate with or responding to reasonable criticisms from such patients is strongly taboo as it recognises them as sentient reasoning beings and accords them power. Further, other professionals and organisations supporting patient autonomy in these fields are labelled antiScience and libellous, with direct attacks on them through conference speeches, the media, their professional bodies and their employing institutions.

[Added - Feel free to label me as a paranoid conspiracy theorist as it is inconceivable that such could still exist in developed countries in the twenty first century. Had I not been from within the patient community I would not give any consideration to my own rant, and to people from countries not dominated by the BPS cult, that set the agenda in such as the UK or Denmark, this must seem almost unimaginable .]

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

A remarkably paternalistic article I would say.

 

[ScottTriGuy]

[Added - Feel free to label me as a paranoid conspiracy theorist as it is inconceivable that such could still exist in developed countries in the twenty first century. Had I not been from within the patient community I would not give any consideration to my own rant, and to people from countries not dominated by the BPS cult, that set the agenda in such as the UK or Denmark, this must seem almost unimaginable .]

I've been watching the documentary Making a Murderer, Season 2, and I keep saying to myself: "Its unbelievable how the State is conspiring to keep this falsely accused man in prison, except I deal with our health care system, so its not really unbelievable, its probable."

'Paranoia' is just good thinking when they're out to get you.