What promotes patient autonomy in healthcare decision-making?

Advance directives promote patient autonomy in healthcare decision-making by allowing individuals to express their preferences regarding medical treatment in advance, particularly in situations where they may become unable to communicate their wishes. These documents, which can include living wills and healthcare proxies, empower patients to make decisions about their own care, aligning treatment with their values and desires. This ensures that their choices are respected even if they are incapacitated, thus preserving their autonomy in the healthcare process.

Expressed contracts and implied contracts do not specifically address the nuances of patient autonomy in the way that advance directives do. Expressed contracts may clarify the obligations of healthcare providers and patients, but they do not necessarily empower patients to make informed decisions about their care. Similarly, implied contracts relate to the assumptions of mutual understanding and agreement in a healthcare relationship, rather than explicitly providing a framework for patient choice. Legal disabilities pertain to circumstances that limit an individual's capacity to make decisions, which could diminish autonomy rather than promote it. Therefore, advance directives are specifically designed to enhance patient autonomy in healthcare decisions.