Paternalistic interventions and competence

ABSTRACT

Paternalism is in fact, a kind of behavior that is intended to benefit persons without their consent and this type of behavior contains the element of coercion or interference that is justified for the good of the individual. On the other hand, the autonomy model of clinical decision making is firmly grounded in the dignity of humans and this view strongly holds that to violate somebody's autonomy is to violate his humanity and an attempt to treat him as an object. Western medicine gives significant importance to competent patient. Paternalistic interventions are only applicable to incompetent patients. If a competent patient rationally refuses treatment, it is not one's duty to treat him and not treating cannot be named as killing