Patient autonomy in medical decision-making: fetish, fiction, fact or futile?

Empowering patient choice is at the heart of health policy in England and Wales. Over recent years, the partnership between doctor and patient has evolved to place the patient’s views at the centre of treatment decision-making by reference to individual rights, and notably the concept of autonomy. Yet our understanding of autonomy and indeed the intentions as to its purpose lack consensus. This PhD will explore the conceptualisation of autonomy in medical decision-making, investigate its legal basis and worth, and identify which interpretation of it can actually achieve a better decision-making process, for doctors, patients and ultimately judges. Primarily a doctrinal study, there is scope to include an empirical element depending on the relative experience of the successful applicant.

The successful applicant would be expected to hold a Masters degree (or equivalent) in a socio-legal discipline at least at Merit level.