What ethical principle involves respecting a patient's right to make their own decisions?

The ethical principle that involves respecting a patient's right to make their own decisions is autonomy. Autonomy is founded on the belief that individuals have the right to govern themselves and make informed choices about their own healthcare. This includes the ability to consent to or refuse treatment based on their personal values, beliefs, and preferences.

In a healthcare context, honoring patient autonomy means that healthcare providers must provide all necessary information regarding treatment options, risks, and benefits. This empowers patients to make decisions that align with their own values and circumstances. It reflects a fundamental respect for the individual as a self-determining person.

The other ethical principles—non-maleficence, justice, and beneficence—are also important in the practice of healthcare but focus on different aspects. Non-maleficence is about avoiding harm to patients, justice refers to fairness and equality in the distribution of healthcare resources, and beneficence emphasizes acting in the best interest of the patient. While these principles support patient care, autonomy specifically centers around individual decision-making rights.