Table 1 The average proportions of the six specialties who stated that arguments were (very or rather) important

Respect for patient’s autonomy

(n = 661)

87% (84–90)

(n = 714)

88% (86–90)

Patients do not know their own good

(n = 679)

74% (71–77)*

(n = 702)

59% (55–63)*

Autonomy principle precedes non-maleficence principle

(n = 656)

54% (50–58)

(n = 699)

57% (53–61)

Non-maleficence principle precedes autonomy principle

(n = 677)

63% (59–67)

(n = 697)

68% (65–71)