An analysis of Robert Schwartz 2
Phil 2050
24 April 2014
An analysis of Robert Schwartz “Autonomy, Futility, and the Limits of Medicine” reveals that physicians are not required to give patients treatment that has been proven to be effective, and they are not morally obligated to provide treatment that is not in-line with practice of medicine. Schwartz explains although our autonomy is respected, there are limitations on our request.
We all enjoy our right to autonomy, the freedom to express what can be done to us, the right for self-determination. “Autonomy is based on a person’s ability make rational choices concerning their own life and choose for themselves. They must be treated with respect without interfering with their ability to determine their own paths and make decisions for oneself” (Vaughn 9). The freedom of autonomy gives patients the right decide their healthcare decisions without the influence of the values of their physicians, their colleagues, or society (Schwartz 105).
According to Schwartz there are a few restrictions placed on our autonomous decision making when it comes to healthcare treatments. Often the physicians respect our autonomy, but can deny treatment to us if our values are not in-line with the physician values, and within the realm of medicine, therefore, we cannot ask for treatment that isn’t in the practice of medicine. “Patients are not entitled to be treated with nonmedical practices, or scientifically futile treatment, or treatments that are in-line with the scope of medicine” (105).
Schwartz suggest our autonomy is not denied by the healthcare system if they do not provide treatment that might be effective, but has no medical meaning, nor falls in-line with alternative medical treatments (105). In other words, a stressed out mother can’t go to her physician, and expect her doctor to prescribe her, or even recommend her to spend a day at the spa, and then go out for drinks later with friends. Even though this experience might relief her of the stress for
24 April 2014
An analysis of Robert Schwartz “Autonomy, Futility, and the Limits of Medicine” reveals that physicians are not required to give patients treatment that has been proven to be effective, and they are not morally obligated to provide treatment that is not in-line with practice of medicine. Schwartz explains although our autonomy is respected, there are limitations on our request.
We all enjoy our right to autonomy, the freedom to express what can be done to us, the right for self-determination. “Autonomy is based on a person’s ability make rational choices concerning their own life and choose for themselves. They must be treated with respect without interfering with their ability to determine their own paths and make decisions for oneself” (Vaughn 9). The freedom of autonomy gives patients the right decide their healthcare decisions without the influence of the values of their physicians, their colleagues, or society (Schwartz 105).
According to Schwartz there are a few restrictions placed on our autonomous decision making when it comes to healthcare treatments. Often the physicians respect our autonomy, but can deny treatment to us if our values are not in-line with the physician values, and within the realm of medicine, therefore, we cannot ask for treatment that isn’t in the practice of medicine. “Patients are not entitled to be treated with nonmedical practices, or scientifically futile treatment, or treatments that are in-line with the scope of medicine” (105).
Schwartz suggest our autonomy is not denied by the healthcare system if they do not provide treatment that might be effective, but has no medical meaning, nor falls in-line with alternative medical treatments (105). In other words, a stressed out mother can’t go to her physician, and expect her doctor to prescribe her, or even recommend her to spend a day at the spa, and then go out for drinks later with friends. Even though this experience might relief her of the stress for
Cited: Page Lewis, Vaughn. Bioethics: principles, issues, and cases-2nd ed. New York: Oxford, 2013, 2010. Print Schwartz, Robert. “Autonomy, Futility, and Limits of Medicine.” Bioethics: principles, issues, and cases-2nd ed. Lewis, Vaughn. New York: Oxford 2013, 2010. 105-108. Print