What is Patient Autonomy? Our Culture of Embracing Your Medical Choices
written by
Veronica Max, APRN, FNP-C
There's a buzzword that has been floating around the healthcare industry the past few years.
Patient Autonomy
If you don't work in healthcare, you might not have come across this term. But understanding the concept might make a big difference in how you choose healthcare providers for you and your family.
Personally, I prefer the term patient sovereignty (and I'll share more about that later), but first let's start with answering:
What is patient autonomy?
Essentially, patient autonomy is practiced when healthcare providers believe that each patient has the right to make their own decisions about their own bodies, and that they shouldn't be bullied or shamed into or about those decisions.
Sadly, this philosophy hasn't always been common among most healthcare providers.
The medical profession has a long history of condescension and dismissiveness towards individual patient needs and preferences. People in white lab coats infantilized patients with their “I know what’s best for you and your body, more than you do” kind of approach.
Thankfully, patients no longer have the expect this kind of treatment... nor should they.
At our clinic, We Embrace Your Decisions
When providers embrace practicing patient autonomy (sovereignty), there's no room for judging or shaming patients about their decisions. Those are forms of bullying and it is a quick way for patients to lose trust in their provider, which often leads to them hiding things during patient visits.
We make sure we create a safe space for our patients to share and ask questions without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. Why? Because we know that if they feel ashamed and hide things, then they won't get the information they need to make educated decisions for themselves.
We know that ignorance isn’t stupidity. Ignorance is just a knowledge deficit. And we help to fill in those knowledge gaps.
I truly believe that one of the reasons our practice has grown so quickly is because our patients feel seen and heard. And they tell their friends. We do not judge, shame, or fear-monger our patients. We explicitly state this on our website.
How We Practice Patient Autonomy (Patient Sovereignty)
Personally, I prefer the term patient sovereignty because to me, each individual is a sovereign being. Everyone has the right to make their own decisions about their own bodies. It's not my job to force my opinion upon my patients. That violates their sovereignty.
So, what exactly does it look like when we practice patient autonomy/sovereignty within UltraPersonal Healthcare?
First of all, we prioritize our own education and communication skills so that you can receive and understand every bit of knowledge you need to make informed decisions.
Second, we make sure you have enough time with us. Listening to your needs and having a conversation about your options takes time. And it certainly takes more than a 15-minute appointment - which has sadly become the norm in most healthcare practices.
Talking with your healthcare provider shouldn't make you feel like you're on an assembly line.
Within UltraPersonal Healthcare, we give patients the time they need - whether that's just 15 minutes or the occasion 90-minute conversation. Our standard appointment time is an hour because both our patients and our providers appreciate having the time to actually talk and connect.
Lastly, we embrace your decisions; we don't expect you to embrace ours. Meaning, we will not impose our personal opinions on you and we don't expect you to think like us or to make the same decisions with your body that we've made for our own.
What we care about is that you understand your options, along with the potential risks and rewards that go along with those options. Once you've made your decision, we will work with you through those choices each step of the way.
I know patient sovereignty isn't important to everyone, but for those who do, it's very important. If you have any questions or are interested in being a part of concierge service that embraces patient sovereignty, please feel free to visit UltraPersonal.healthcare or call us @ 512-489-9813.
Wishing you the best on your healthcare journey!
Veronica Max, APRN
Founder, UltraPersonal Healthcare