About
I am a philosopher with a PhD in professional ethics. My PhD focuses on paternalism and autonomy in doctor-patient communication. More specifically, I examine what happens in conversations when a doctor suggests one type of treatment, but the patient wants something else – and how doctors should act in such situations.
My approach combines qualitative analysis of video recordings of doctor-patient conversations with normative discussion (ethics). Some key questions include: In what different ways are doctors paternalistic? Is it acceptable to persuade a patient to undergo treatment when they refuse? What role does patient fear play in shared decision-making, and how should doctors respond to patients who are afraid of treatment?
I am committed to finding answers that are both ethically and philosophically sound while also being practically applicable in the professional lives of healthcare personnel.
My master’s thesis explored whether individuals with severe anorexia are autonomous – that is, whether they are in control of themselves or whether the anorexia 'controls' them – and whether involuntary treatment can be justifiable. Additionally, I have a background in the field of religion and interfaith dialogue.
Research groups
Research projects
Ongoing research projects
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Paternalism in doctor-patient communication
A doctor acts paternalistically if she forces, pressures or deceives a patient because she believes that it will make him better off. Examples of paternalism in medical ethics include compulsory treatment, refraining from telling a patient about the severity of his condition to protect him from anxiety, and refusing to offer a treatment that the patient requests on the grounds that he might regret it later.
Publications and research
Scientific publications
Fleisje, Anniken
(2024).
Four shades of paternalism in doctor–patient communication and their ethical implications.
Bioethics.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.13307
Fleisje, Anniken
(2023).
Paternalistic persuasion: are doctors paternalistic when persuading patients, and how does persuasion differ from convincing and recommending?.
12 p.
Medicine, Health care and Philosophy.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-023-10142-2
