Autonomy

The other day we attended an ethics lecture (by a lawyer, so a lot was really a law lecture), which made me realize how many laws/ethics are exactly the same as they are at home. By law, doctors have to receive informed consent before doing a procedure or else it can be considered an assault. Doctors have to do what any other "reasonable" physician would do in their situation. We talked about the basics of ethics: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Same as at home. No real differences. Except this is theory, and in practice they tend to not emphasize autonomy in the same way as we do in the US.

Patients are scolded, literally, whenever they do something that is not in the best interest of their health. The doctors here tell them that they need to lose weight, that they need to know their medications, that they never should skip an appointment, and so much more. They are all very caring, but often do not sugar coat things in order to make it more palatable. The doctors just tell it how it is. No worrying about being sued or hurting the patient's feelings. Just telling them what is in the best interest of their help. Never cruelly or offensively, but matter of fact.

At home we seem to tip toe around tough issues, worrying that we may somehow offend them. Who is really doing what is in the best interest of the patient?