Introduction
Deception and therapeutic privilege are two controversial issues in medical ethics that have received considerable attention from scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. While some argue that these practices are necessary to protect patients from harm and ensure their well-being, others contend they violate core ethical principles, such as autonomy and respect for persons. Nevertheless, a healthcare professional must respect patients’ autonomy and rights and prioritize their decisions and interests when it comes to controversial topics, such as deception and therapeutic privilege.
Deception in Medicine
Deception is the act of intentionally misleading someone or withholding information that is crucial for their decision-making process. In medicine, deception can manifest in various forms, such as withholding the truth about a patient’s diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment options (Pozgar 97). Supporters of deception in medicine might claim that it is necessary to safeguard patients from harm, reduce their anxiety levels, and encourage them to comply with their medical treatment.
The primary point is whether the physician or the patient was the intended beneficiary of the deceit. As with most individuals, doctors want their patients to do well and are upset when they seem not to (Vaugn 193). If they did not have to work so diligently to preserve their reputations and support themselves, they would not have such “purely selfish reasons” to care about their patients (Vaugn 193). Most importantly, all competent doctors have a strong feeling of obligation to individuals who have trusted them with their care.
However, critics of deception in medicine, such as Kantian ethics, reject its use as it violates the principle of respect for persons. According to Kant’s philosophy, everyone has an inherent value and dignity that must be respected (Schönrich and Kato 134). By lying to patients, healthcare providers undermine their autonomy and weaken their ability to make informed decisions. On the other hand, open and honest communication between healthcare providers and their patients fosters trust, empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare, and enhances patient outcomes (Pozgar 97). Thus, healthcare providers must prioritize transparency and honesty in their patient interactions.
Therapeutic Privilege in Medicine
Therapeutic privilege, also known as therapeutic paternalism, is a controversial practice that involves withholding details from a patient if they are deemed to be too emotionally distressing. For instance, a doctor may choose not to reveal to a terminally ill patient that their condition is grave so as not to cause unnecessary pain. This practice is frequently well-intentioned and is meant to protect the patient from psychological harm (Butkus 311). However, it raises ethical concerns, particularly concerning the principle of autonomy.
Principle of Autonomy
The autonomy principle serves as the basic defense of stating the truth. The main point is that healthcare professionals must consistently recognize people’s autonomy and their logical ability to make their own decisions (Vaughn 178). The ability to choose how to live one’s life and what can and cannot be done about one’s body should be freely exercised by autonomous beings (Vaughn 178).
Respecting their autonomy means accepting their right to behave as they like as long as their activities do not interfere with others’ freedoms (Vaughn 178). By restricting a patient’s capacity to make informed decisions, doctors who intentionally mislead a patient violate their right to autonomy. They force him to make critical choices while operating in a mist of incomplete or misleading information.
The principle of autonomy is a cornerstone of Kantian ethics, which argues that individuals have the right to make decisions based on accurate and complete information. By withholding information from patients, medical professionals may be infringing on the patient’s autonomy and respect for persons (Searight 20). In addition, the therapeutic privilege may lead to a lack of trust between the patient and physician, ultimately harming the patient’s health outcomes.
Despite the ethical concerns, some medical professionals might argue that therapeutic privilege is necessary in some instances. An example is when the patient cannot comprehend the information due to cognitive impairment or when the information is likely to cause significant harm. However, it is crucial for medical professionals to carefully consider the potential consequences of withholding information and only do so when it is truly in the patient’s best interest.
Conclusion
Hence, a healthcare provider must respect patients’ autonomy and rights and put their wishes and interests first regarding contentious issues such as deceit and therapeutic privilege. Kantian ethics is a powerful paradigm for examining the ethical ramifications of deception and therapeutic privilege in medicine. From a Kantian standpoint, these techniques are inappropriate in medical practice because they contradict fundamental ethical norms, including respect for individuals and autonomy. Even if it is unpleasant or challenging, doctors must provide patients with accurate information. Physicians may ensure that their activities align with the highest ethical standards and advance the health of their patients by adhering to these principles.
Works Cited
Butkus, Matthew A. Biomedical Ethics and Decision-Making. Gegensatz Press, 2021.
Pozgar, George D. Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2022.
Schönrich, G., and Kato, Y. Kant’s Concept of Dignity. De Gruyter, 2019.
Searight, H. Russell. Ethical Challenges in Multi-Cultural Patient Care: Cross Cultural Issues at the End of Life. Springer International Publishing, 2019.
Vaughn, Lewis. Bioethics: Principles, Issues, and Cases. Oxford University Press, 2022.