Patient autonomy as a limit on a doctor's duty to follow-up

Abstract

The principle of personal autonomy means that patients are free not to attend scheduled medical appointments and to risk the complications that may occur as a consequence of their non-attendance. But the situation may be more complicated if the patient’s doctor recognises that the patient may be vulnerable to a particular risk. What are the limits of the doctor's obligation to follow-up or recall the patient for a further consultation? Some recent cases cast light upon this issue.