Abstract
Much discussion of decision-making processes in medicine has been patient-centred. It has been assumed that there is, most often, one patient. Less attention has been given to shared decision-making processes where two or more patients are involved. This article aims to contribute to this special area. What conditions need to be met if decision-making can be said to be shared? What is a shared decision-making process and what is a shared autonomous decision-making process? Why make the distinction? Examples are drawn from the area of new reproductive medicine and clinical genetics. Possible gender-differences in shared decision-making are discussed.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Carlsen, B. and A. Aavik: 2006, ‚Patient Involvement in Clinical Decision-Making: The Effect of PG Attitude on Patient Satisfaction-Health Expectations 9:148–157.
Dodds, S.: 2000, ‘Choice and Control in Bioethics’ in: C. Mackenzie and N. Stoljar (eds.), Relational Autonomy - Feminist Perspectives on Autonomy, Agency and the Social Self. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
Donchin, A.: 2001, ’Understanding Autonomy Relationally: Toward a Reconfiguration of Bioethical Principles’ Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 26:365–386.
Draper, H. and R. Chadwick: 1999, ‘Beware! Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis may Solve Some Old Problems but it also Raises New Ones’ Journal of Medical Ethics, 25:114–120.
Ford, S., T. Schofield and T. Hope: 2006, ‘Observing Decision-Making in the General Practice Consultation: Who Makes Which Decisions?’, Health Expectations 9:130–137.
Friedman, M.: 2000, ‘Autonomy, Social Disruption, and Women’, in: C. Mackenzie and N. Stoljar (eds.), Relational Autonomy - Feminist Perspectives on Autonomy, Agency and the Social Self. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
Hallowell, N.: 1999, ‘Doing the Right Thing: Genetic Risk and Responsibility’, Sociology of Health & Illness, 21:597–621.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.
HFEA, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (2005) Tomorrow’s Children. A Consultation on Guidance to Licensed Fertility Clinics on Taking in Account the Welfare of Children to Be Born of Assisted Conception Treatment. London: HFEA. Online. Available HTTP: < http://www.hfea.gov.uk/AboutHFEA/HFEAPolicy/ReviewoftheHFEAsguidanceonWelfareoftheChild > (accessed 1 July 2005).
Lasker, J. and S. Borg: 1987, In Search for Parenthood. Beacon Press, Boston.
McCarthy, B.: 2006, ‘Translating Person-Centred Care: A Case Study of Preceptor Nurses and their Teaching Practices in Acute Care Areas’, Journal of Clinical Nursing 15:629–638.
McLeod, C. and S. Sherwin: 2000, ‘Relational Autonomy, Self-Trust, and Health Care For Patients Who Are Oppressed’, in: C. Mackenzie and N. Stoljar (eds), Relational Autonomy - Feminist Perspectives on Autonomy, Agency and the Social Self. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
Meyers, D.T.: 1987, ‚Personal Autonomy and the Paradox of Feminine Socialization’, Journal of Philosophy 84:619–628.
Meyers, D.T.: 1989, Self, Society, and Personal Choice. New York: Columbia University Press.
Meyers, D.T.: 2000, ‚Intersectional Identity and the Authentic Self? Opposites Attract!’, in: Mackenzie C. and N. Stoljar (eds.), Relational Autonomy - Feminist Perspectives on Autonomy, Agency and the Social Self. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
Nordenfelt, L.: 2000, Action, Ability and Health. Essays in the philosophy of action and welfare. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Parker, M.: 2000, ‚Public Deliberation and Private Choice in Genetics and Reproduction. Journal of Medical Ethics 26:160–165.
Raymond, J.: 1995, Women as Wombs. North Melborne: Spinifex Press.
Steinberg, D.L.: 1996, ‚Languages of Risk: Genetic Encryptions of Female Body’, Women: A cultural review 7:259–270.
Street, K., R. Ashcroft, J. Henderson and A.V. Campbell: 2000, ‚The Decision Making Process Regarding the Withdrawal of Withholding of Potential Life-Saving Treatments in a Children’s Hospital’, Journal of Medical Ethics 26: 346–352.
Zeiler, K.: 2005, ‚Chosen Children? An Empirical Study and a Philosophical Analysis of Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis and Germ-Line Gene Therapy. Linköping: Linköping University.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zeiler, K. Shared decision-making, gender and new technologies. Med Health Care and Philos 10, 279–287 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-006-9034-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-006-9034-2