What exactly might “patient-centered” law or ethics mean? Let’s start by reflecting on what it might mean for any body of law or kind of ethics to be centered on something, or anything, and why that might matter.
The focal point of law or ethics will influence: (1) which questions are considered important; (2) how they are addressed; and (3) what values are paramount—in other words, the scope, the methods, and the substance of the field. So, this seems like something we should certainly try to get right. And, the focal point of health law is especially problematic because law is decided by judges who face concrete cases, and is practiced by lawyers who serve clients with particular interests. Therefore, law tends to focus on the problems and concerns of the people or institutions with money to hire lawyers and to pursue litigation (or to influence legislators and regulators).
