Introduction

Abstract

Economic, social, legal, and political factors have combined in recent years to effect major changes in medical practice and health care policy. Concern for patient rights and patient autonomy have transformed the practice of medicine which is rooted in the doctor-patient relationship. A change took place between 1965 and 1970 which put into question what this relationship is supposed to accomplish. Prior to this date medical ethics was generally thought of do’s and don’ts for the physician and the primary principle was to benefit the patient, giving authority to the physician to coerce, deceive and ‘do things impermissible’ in other human relationships. After that date the patient’s benefit was not the only moral principle but of special importance was the principle of autonomy, often thought of as the right to self-determination. Medical ethics was no longer the field of physicians but also of philosophers, theologians, people involved in health care and the layman.