Which principle states a patient's right to accept or reject medical treatment as long as they are competent?

The principle that conveys a patient's right to accept or reject medical treatment, provided they are competent, is centered around the concept of patient autonomy. Autonomy emphasizes the importance of allowing individuals to make their own decisions regarding their healthcare, as they have the right to control what happens to their bodies and their health.

Patient autonomy is a fundamental ethical principle in healthcare, recognizing that competent adults must be respected as decision-makers regarding their own medical treatment. This means that individuals possess the right to be involved in their care, understand their treatment options, and ultimately choose whether to proceed with a specific treatment plan or not.

While self-determination also encompasses a similar idea, it is often more broadly applied to various aspects of personal freedom and may not specifically focus on healthcare decisions. Informed consent pertains to the process of ensuring patients are fully aware of the implications of their treatment choices but does not explicitly encapsulate the broader right to accept or reject care. Patient rights typically refer to a range of legal and ethical protections that ensure patients receive fair treatment and respect within the healthcare system, but do not singularly emphasize the competence-based decision-making specifically inherent in patient autonomy.