The social construction of autonomy and the meanings of autonomy for the diabetic patient from doctor's perspective

The research aims to identify a working definition of autonomy for use by doctors with diabetic patients and for general practitioners, to inform and guide their practice and the doctor-patient relationship. Doctors operate with a definition of patient autonomy that involves their rationality and ability to make conscious decisions. Under these conditions, therapeutic education should be central in the approach of the doctor, in relation to the patient with chronic disease, to be able to inform the patient about specific lifestyle choices that he should take or avoid, and the risks of refusing to avoid any such risks. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.