Paternalism in medicine continues to perseverate and this should be questioned and re-examined. Physicians go through many years of education and apprenticeship to gain experiences and expertise. I believe knowledge-based value judgement is necessary practicing medicine; however, it should not be a sole method, generalized or inherited practicies, or considered as a norm when it comes to treating our patients.
Any encounters with our patients involve informed consent, which is a process that multiple parties are involved to achieve benefits of patients. Making mutual decisions should include ethical standards: autonomy, fidelity, beneficence/nonmaleficence, veracity, and justice. Competency would also be crucial to provide our patients with best possible options treating their illness. Ultimately, this will lead to ethical integrity of healthcare providers to provide safe and quality patient care.