Scharf A, Voigt L, Vardhana S, Matsoukas K, Wall LM, Arevalo M, Diamond LC. What Should Clinicians Do When a Patient's Autonomy Undermines Her Being Treated Equitably?
AMA J Ethics 2021;
23:E97-108. [PMID:
33635189 PMCID:
PMC8366686 DOI:
10.1001/amajethics.2021.97]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Language and cultural barriers can impede communication between patients and clinicians, exacerbating health inequity. Additional complications can arise when family members, intending to protect their loved ones, ask clinicians to lie or not disclose to patients their diagnoses, prognoses, or intervention options. Clinicians must express respect for patients' and families' cultural, religious, and social norms regarding health care decision making, but they might also be ethically troubled by some decisions' effects on patients' health outcomes. This article suggests strategies for clinicians trying to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers to equitable patient care.
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