Protecting the Integrity of Patient-Centred Medical Decision Making

The Board of the BC College of Family Physicians (BCCFP) affirms that medical decisions must be made within the trusted relationship between patients, their families, and their physicians – guided by medical standards of care established by scientific evidence and clinical expertise, as well as compassion and consideration of each individual patient’s values and context.

The patient-physician relationship is the foundation of high-quality care. It relies on mutual trust, respect for patient autonomy, and the professional judgment of physicians who are trained and accountable to ethical and evidence-based standards.

Increasing political involvement in clinical decision making across Canada puts this foundation at risk. When governments intervene, they limit patient choice, undermine physician autonomy, and jeopardize access to evidence-based care.

The BCCFP is unequivocal: clinical decisions must remain free from political influence.

We affirm that:

• Patients and their families have the right to make health care decisions in partnership with their health care team, free from political interference.
• Physicians are ethically obligated to provide care that aligns with scientific evidence and professional standards.
• Governments have a responsibility to fund and support health care, and that medical decision-making lies outside this responsibility.

We will continue to advocate for the protection of patient rights and the professional autonomy of physicians. The integrity of our health care system depends on preserving the space where informed, compassionate, and evidence-driven decisions are made between patients and their health care teams.