Final answer:
Autonomy refers to self determination and the ability to self-direct, particularly in healthcare where it denotes a patient's right to make decisions about their own care. It is one of four central ethical principles in medicine, including beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Autonomy is self determination and the ability to self-govern and self-direct. When applied to healthcare, the principle of autonomy upholds that patients have the right to make decisions about their own health care based on informed consent. This principle is one of the four fundamental ethical principles in medicine, the others being the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Beneficence involves acting in ways that benefit others, while nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm. Justice refers to fairness and equality in treatment and resource distribution.
In the context of clinical settings, honoring a patient's autonomy means healthcare providers must respect a patient's wishes regarding their treatment options, even if they disagree with those decisions. For instance, when participating in a clinical trial, a patient's informed consent is crucial; it demonstrates respect for their autonomy by ensuring they are aware of potential risks and benefits before agreeing to participate.