ABSTRACT
PATERNALISM The doctor assumes complete responsibility for the decision making process and involvement of the patient is minimal. This is considered a protective approach based on the premise that “the doctor knows best.” The doctor essentially makes decisions on behalf of and with the patient’s best interests foremost in mind. Paternalism was common in the past, and indeed the norm, and reflects the dominance of the doctor over the patient. However, this approach is now outdated and patients no longer exhibit the same degree of dependency on their physicians as in previous generations.
