Doctors as Appointed Fiduciaries : A Supplemental Model for Medical Decision-Making

Davies, Ben and Parker, Joshua (2022) Doctors as Appointed Fiduciaries : A Supplemental Model for Medical Decision-Making. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 31 (1). pp. 23-33. ISSN 0963-1801

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Abstract

How should we respond to patients who do not wish to take on the responsibility and burdens of making decisions about their own care? In this paper, we argue that existing models of decision-making in modern healthcare are ill-equipped to cope with such patients and should be supplemented by an "appointed fiduciary" model where decision-making authority is formally transferred to a medical professional. Healthcare decisions are often complex and for patients can come at time of vulnerability. While this does not undermine their capacity, it can be excessively burdensome. Most existing models of decision-making mandate that patients with capacity must retain ultimate responsibility for decisions. An appointed fiduciary model provides a formalized mechanism through which those few patients who wish to defer responsibility can hand over decision-making authority. By providing a formal structure for deferring to an appointed fiduciary, the confusions and risks of the informal transfers that can occur in practice are avoided. Finally, we note how appropriate governance and law can provide safeguards against risks to the welfare of patients and medical professionals.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3306
Subjects:
?? clinical decision-makingdecision makinghumansphysician-patient relationsphysiciansautonomymedical decision-makingshared decision-makingdoctor–patient relationshiphealth(social science)issues, ethics and legal aspectshealth policy ??
ID Code:
172293
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
25 Jul 2022 13:00
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 22:43