Which principle is often considered along with Nonmaleficence and Beneficence as core ethical obligations in healthcare?

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Autonomy, the patient’s right to make their own decisions about care, is the principle often paired with beneficence and nonmaleficence as core healthcare obligations. Beneficence means acting in the patient’s best interest, and nonmaleficence means avoiding harm. Autonomy adds the crucial element that patients should actively participate in decisions about their treatment, provided they have the capacity to do so. In practice, this shows up as informed consent, clear disclosure of options and risks, respect for patient choices (even when they differ from what clinicians would choose), and honoring advance directives or involving a surrogate when a patient cannot decide for themselves. Veracity—truth-telling—is important for trust, but it is not typically grouped with these three as the primary trio of core obligations.