Patricia Hernández leads a bioethical reflection on patient autonomy

During the 12th National Meeting of Hospital Bioethics Committees and Research Ethics Committees, the coordinator of the Master's Program in Bioethics gave a keynote address in which she highlighted the fundamental ethical principles of the current legal framework, as well as the challenges of ensuring humane and fair care.

On March 20, 2025, the University of Ixtlahuaca CUI hosted the XII State Meeting of Hospital Bioethics Committees and Research Ethics Committees, an event in which Mtra. Martha Patricia Hernández Valdez, vice president of the Mexican National Academy of Bioethics and coordinator of the Master's Degree in Bioethics in Spanish online by our Anáhuac University Mexico, had an outstanding participation by giving the keynote lecture "Patient autonomy in clinical practice and research: Bioethical criteria for its evaluation and protection."

Thanks to her established background in clinical ethics and academic training, Hernández Valdez delivered a thorough, clear, and solidly grounded presentation, addressing the importance of recognizing the patient as an autonomous subject in the provision of medical care and in their participation in research projects. Her presentation focused on the need to apply rigorous ethical criteria to assess the autonomy of individuals, especially in contexts of vulnerability or clinical complexity.

Through an analysis of the current regulatory framework in Mexico, which includes the General Health Law and the Regulations on Health Research, the specialist offered a critical reading of the role of the National Bioethics Commission (CONBIOÉTICA) as the governing body in promoting guidelines and best practices that guarantee respect for human dignity. She emphasized fundamental bioethical principles, such as autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, which should be a constant guide for clinical and scientific decision-making.

One of the most relevant points of her presentation was his assessment of patient capacity, which includes four essential components: understanding of the information provided, appreciation of the patient's particular situation, adequate reasoning about the available options, and the ability to clearly communicate the patient's decision. She also discussed the role of surrogate decision-making and ethical care for vulnerable populations, highlighting the institutional responsibility to protect them.

In the second part of her presentation, Ms. Hernández addressed the protection of autonomy in the field of research, as well as the principles of confidentiality and privacy, ethically sensitive aspects that require constant updating in the face of the challenges of technological innovation. She also reflected on the areas of opportunity facing bioethics in Mexico, such as the need for continuing education, strengthening hospital and research ethics committees, and incorporating a cultural sensitivity that engages with the country's diversity.

Finally, she presented a series of recommendations for institutional bioethical practice: "Prioritize respect for autonomy as a guiding principle, update the regulatory framework with a robust ethical perspective, promote ongoing training for health professionals, and establish effective mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating bioethical practices in hospitals and research centers."

Ms. Hernández Valdez's presentation at this national meeting highlighted the importance of integrating academic experience with the daily challenges faced by bioethics committees in clinical and scientific settings and demonstrated how bioethics, beyond being a theoretical discipline, constitutes an essential tool for promoting ethical, fair, and humane healthcare. Her contribution reinforces the need to continue consolidating spaces for training and reflection that guide scientific development toward social responsibility, equity, and respect for the plurality of values ​​present in our society.