Analyzing the Role of Patient Autonomy in Informed Consent

The analysis of patient autonomy and the discovery of its constructive elements in the relationship between physician and patient are of special importance. The purpose of this study is to explain the role of patient autonomy as the main component of informed consent. In this analytical study, books and published articles were purposefully searched and analyzed and then the role of patient autonomy in informed consent was discussed. The most important action that a physician should take to respect for patient autonomy is providing information to him or her about the nature of the disease and related therapeutic interventions. The researchers have interpreted this important step in the "disclosure of information" by the physician and "understanding" by the patient; it seems that in this regard, attention and emphasis on two is important: first, when we talk about the physician and patient relationship, it means the treatment team which physician is head of it; secondly, understanding of the patient's mind and conditions in which he or she lives has a special importance for autonomous choice. The basic principle in order to understanding the conditions and psychic world of the patient is physician’s empathy with the patient, to provide the appropriate and adequate information and help him or her choose consciously and freely.