Human Dignity of Patients in the Mexican Healthcare System: From Autonomy to Shared Decision-Making.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29105/dj6.11-208Keywords:
Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. Carbonell, M. (2021). Los derechos fundamentales en México (13ª ed.). Editorial Porrúa / UNAM. Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos [CPEUM]. (1917). Última reforma publicada en el Diario Oficial de la Federación el 24 de enero de 2024. Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. (2016). Caso I.V. vs. Bolivia. Excepciones preliminares, fondo, reparaciones y costas. Sentencia de 30 de noviembre de 2016. Gracia, D. (2001). La autonomía del paciente en la relación clínica. Editorial Triacastela. Lázaro, J., & Gracia, D. (2006). La relación médico-paciente a través de la historia. Anales del Sistema Sanitario de Navarra, 29(Supl. 3), 7–17. Ley General de Salud [LGS]. (1984). Última reforma publicada en el Diario Oficial de la Federación el 29 de mayo de 2023. Mainetti, J. A. (1989). Ética médica: Introducción a la bioética. Editorial Quirón. Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación. (2016). Dignidad humana. El orden jurídico mexicano la reconoce como derecho fundamental (Tesis 1a./J. 37/2016). UNESCO. (2005). Declaración Universal sobre Bioética y Derechos Humanos.Abstract
: This article analyzes human dignity as the guiding principle of the Mexican healthcare system from a legal perspective grounded in contemporary constitutionalism and a human rights approach. In light of the 2011 constitutional reform, it examines the consolidation of the constitutional block and its impact on the protection of patient autonomy within the doctor–patient relationship.
The study explores the transition from a paternalistic model to one based on autonomy and shared decision-making, highlighting informed consent, confidentiality, and non-discrimination as essential elements of dignity in clinical practice. It also examines the applicable legal framework, particularly the Mexican Constitution and the General Health Law, showing how these instruments establish concrete legal obligations for healthcare professionals.
Finally, the article identifies common risks to patient dignity in healthcare practice and proposes its incorporation as a quality standard in health services. It concludes that human dignity is not only an ethical principle but also a binding legal mandate that must guide all actions within the Mexican healthcare system.
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References
Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Carbonell, M. (2021). Los derechos fundamentales en México (13ª ed.). Editorial Porrúa / UNAM.
Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos [CPEUM]. (1917). Última reforma publicada en el Diario Oficial de la Federación el 24 de enero de 2024.
Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. (2016). Caso I.V. vs. Bolivia. Excepciones preliminares, fondo, reparaciones y costas. Sentencia de 30 de noviembre de 2016.
Gracia, D. (2001). La autonomía del paciente en la relación clínica. Editorial Triacastela.
Lázaro, J., & Gracia, D. (2006). La relación médico-paciente a través de la historia. Anales del Sistema Sanitario de Navarra, 29(Supl. 3), 7–17.
Ley General de Salud [LGS]. (1984). Última reforma publicada en el Diario Oficial de la Federación el 29 de mayo de 2023.
Mainetti, J. A. (1989). Ética médica: Introducción a la bioética. Editorial Quirón.
Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación. (2016). Dignidad humana. El orden jurídico mexicano la reconoce como derecho fundamental (Tesis 1a./J. 37/2016).
UNESCO. (2005). Declaración Universal sobre Bioética y Derechos Humanos.
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