The Informative Model, also known as the scientific or engineering model, places an emphasis on patient autonomy and aims to have the physician as the unbiased provider of information, while the patient makes their own decision on their medical intervention for the physician to follow. In this model, the physician provides the patient with all relevant information in their medical scenario, the patient then chooses their desired treatment and the physician is required to execute the patient’s chosen medical intervention. While informing the patient, the physician will typically provide all the risks, benefits and costs of their available options without trying to sway the patient to pick one option over another. This model assumes that the patient’s values are well-defined and known and what they are lacking is facts. There is no role for the physicians values, the physicians understanding of the patients values or his or her judgment of the worth of the patients values.
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Example: An individual has just been diagnosed with a treatable heart disease and has a wide range of options available to help treat his condition. The physician using the informative model would inform the patient of all the benefits and risks and any other relevant information associated with each possible medication they could use. They would then allow the patient to consider the information and the patient would choose, without the influence of the physician, what medication they think is best. The physician would then prescribe that medication and follow the patient’s decision.
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Pros:
- The informative model ensures that the patient is completely informed of all their available treatment options and has informed consent when making a decision.
- The patient’s autonomy is respected and is not influenced by any outside opinions from the physicians that may lead them to a choice they actually do not want.
Cons:
- The informative model lacks the essentials for an ideal physician-patient relationship. The physician should not just give facts but also have a sympathetic approach and be allowed to give their recommendation to help the patient make the best choice.
- The patient may not be completely sure of what they value in their medical scenario. The experience and knowledge of the physician may be needed to help guide the patient if they are overwhelmed or confused.
References:
E. J. Emanuel and L. L. Emanuel. “Four Models of the Physician-Patient Relationship”. April 22, 1992. JAMA. https://medicinainternaucv.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/cuatro-modelos-de-relacic3b3n-m-p.pdf
“Provider-Patient Relationship”. University of Missouri, School of Medicine. https://medicine.missouri.edu/centers-institutes-labs/health-ethics/faq/provider-patient-relationship