THE ROLE OF HEALTH WORKERS IN ENSURING PATIENT-CENTERED CARE THROUGH ETHICS AND DECISION-MAKING
Keywords:
Patient-Centered Care • Ethical Decision-Making • Health Workers’ Roles • Patient Autonomy • Informed Consent • Confidentiality • Transparency in Healthcare • Clinical Judgment • Ethical Frameworks in Healthcare • Healthcare Advocacy • Institutional Constraints • Compassionate Care • Holistic Approach in HealthcareAbstract
This paper explores the ethical responsibilities and decision-making processes of health workers in delivering patient-centered care. Patient-centered care focuses on understanding and respecting each patient’s unique needs, values, and preferences, fostering an environment where patients actively participate in their own healthcare. Key aspects include informed consent, confidentiality, and transparency in communication, which are essential for establishing trust.
Healthcare professionals often face ethical dilemmas that require balancing patient autonomy with clinical judgment and navigating institutional constraints, such as limited resources or organizational policies. The paper examines ethical frameworks and decision-support tools that aid health workers in aligning their actions with ethical standards, even under complex conditions. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the critical role health workers play in advocating for and implementing practices that support a patient-first approach in healthcare settings.
