What is the role of patient autonomy in the PA–supervising physician relationship?

• A. Override patient choices and control decisions
• B. Respect patient choices, ensure informed consent, and present roles transparently
• C. Ignore patient preferences
• D. Replace patient decisions with physician decisions

Answer: (B)

Patient autonomy means the patient has the right to make informed decisions about their care. In the PA–supervising physician relationship, the PA supports this by ensuring the patient is informed about who is involved in their care, what options exist, and what the plan entails. The PA obtains informed consent before any treatment by explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives, and by making sure the patient understands what role each clinician will play. The patient should be free to accept or decline recommendations, and should know who is providing which aspects of care.

This approach respects patient choices, fulfills the ethical and legal requirements for informed consent, and presents the supervision arrangement clearly so the patient understands the team’s roles. Choices that override patient decisions, ignore preferences, or substitute the physician’s decisions for the patient's undermine autonomy.