Final answer:
When a patient makes their condition worse by not following medical advice, it is considered non-compliance. Non-compliance can lead to further health issues, and while patients retain the right to make decisions about their health, they must also adhere to treatment plans to ensure their well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient makes his/her condition worse by ignoring medical advice, that may be considered non-compliance. This term refers to when a patient does not follow the treatment plan agreed upon with their healthcare provider, which may include taking medication as prescribed, following a specific diet, or attending follow-up appointments. Non-compliance can lead to worsening of the condition, which could result in additional treatments or hospitalizations that might have been avoidable had the original medical advice been followed.
It is crucial in healthcare that patients understand their role in their own health, which includes not just seeking competent medical help but also cooperating with the treatment plan. In contrast, malpractice is when a healthcare professional provides substandard care that causes harm to a patient, which is not the case when a patient is non-compliant. Informed decision making involves weighing the risks and benefits of a treatment before agreeing to it. Patient's right refers to the autonomy to make decisions about one's body, but it also comes with the responsibility to adhere to the agreed-upon treatment plan to ensure the best possible health outcomes.