The Boundaries of Autonomy and Professional Duty: A Review of the Right to Refuse Treatment and Conscience Claims in Healthcare
Keywords:
Right to Refuse Treatment, Patient Autonomy, Conscientious Objection, Religious Belief, Clinical Ethics, Health Law, Mental CapacityAbstract
The right to refuse medical treatment based on religious or personal beliefs sits at the critical intersection of patient autonomy, freedom of conscience, and professional ethics. This literature study examines the legal and ethical boundaries of this right and the resolution of conflicts arising between patient refusals and healthcare provider obligations. The analysis addresses two core issues. First, it explores the limits of a patient's right to refuse, finding that while competent adults possess a strong presumptive right, including to life-saving care, this right is bounded by the harm principle and the state's duty to protect vulnerable third parties, particularly children. Second, it investigates conflicts with provider conscience, concluding that while individual conscientious objection may be accommodated, it is strictly conditional upon timely referral and never permissible in emergencies, with the primary institutional obligation being to guarantee patient access to legally available services. The study argues for clear legal frameworks and institutional policies that balance these competing claims through procedural fairness, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to patient welfare, thereby navigating the complex moral landscape of modern healthcare in pluralistic societies.
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