The End Of Therapeutic Privilege

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According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the definition of Paternalism is “the interference of a state or individual with another person, against their will, and defended or motivated by a claim that the person interfered with will be better off or protected from harm.” When deciphering the word, paternalism, I found its translation to be, the state of acting fatherly. Paternalism has been prevalent in the medical field but has recently broadened to aid the patient’s autonomy, or independence. Considering the advantages and undesired, yet, inevitable disadvantages I stand in favor of this method. Through research, I have found that withholding information, and even lying, may be necessary in order to bring about the best results …show more content…
E. “was brought into a busy hospital after a bus accident.” She complained of abdominal pain and CT was ordered; the CT revealed no trauma but rather that she had “masses consistent with metastatic disease.” Metastatic disease occurs when a person who has cancer in one area begins to develop masses in other parts of the body consistent with the primary type of cancer (each cancer has special proteins, that is how we know how to differentiate them). For instance, a person who has breast cancer may develop masses in their lungs that are not lung cancer but still a tumor. The doctors decided that since she was not as compliant as she could have been, due to her pain, to give her pain medicine which left her “drowsy and slightly confused,” to make matters worse she was placed in a trauma room, which has a many people coming through it, along with disturbing fluorescent lights and loud noises. The physician who was with her from the point she was admitted told her the results, and then told her they were going to “further evaluate” her. They went on to say that Ms. E. “was stunned” by the news. A little while after the physician who broke the news to her, “finished her shift,” Ms. E. left “against medical advice.” In this case, no paternalism was used, in fact, a Kantian approach was used, because of …show more content…
As shown with the example of Ms. E., upon numerous other cases, paternalism is needed in many situations, not always, but all should be offered the same opportunity to great health. And aiding one's health through paternalism is an example of so. Not all people are the same, or process information the same, therefore, it is not morally permissible to handle all with the same rigid and insensitive system. Barbara W. Tuchman, a renowned American historian once said “One patrician English leader saw his relationship with the populace thusly: He wasn’t responsible TO them. He was responsible FOR them. He was responsible for their care [SIC].” In the case of the medical paternalism, we, the doctors, are that English leader, while our patients are the populace. We are responsible for them, not to