Inside Duke Medicine

Next in Humanities in Medicine Lecture Series, Dec. 1

When Autonomy Fails:
Choosing Between Freedom and Well-being 

Peter Ubel, MD
Professor of Business, Fuqua School of Business
Professor of Public Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy
Duke University

Wednesday, December 1, 2010
12:00-1:00 pm
Duke Hospital Lecture Hall 2003

Lunch provided at NOON
Talk begins at 12:15 PM

Theories of informed consent and patient autonomy hold that ethical choice often depends on a given patient's values. An informed patient, who comprehends choices, can decide which alternatives maximize what she cares about in her life. But what happens when comprehensible information leads to irrational choices? Dr. Ubel explores conflicts between freedom and well-being in the context of shared decision making. He doesn't promise to provide any final answers!
 
Peter Ubel, MD is a physician and behavioral scientist. His research explores controversial issues about the role of values and preferences in health care decision making, from decisions at the bedside to policy decisions. He uses the tools of decision psychology and behavioral economics to explore topics like informed consent, shared decision making and health care rationing. His books include Pricing Life (MIT Press 2000) and Free Market Madness (Harvard Business Press, 2009). 

Lecture Hall 2003 is one floor directly above the lobby entrance to Duke Hospital.

For more information, please contact us at 668-9000 or trent-center@duke.edu

View a poster with details.