A Comparative Study of the Scope of Physician Intervention in Unconscious and Incapacitated Patients in Iranian Law and the German Legal System
Keywords:
Medical law, Informed consent, Necessity, Medical proxy, Advance medical directive.Abstract
With the remarkable advancement of medical science and the increasing complexity of therapeutic interventions, particularly in emergency situations, the necessity of revisiting the legal boundaries and regulations governing physician intervention has become more evident. In Iranian law, which is grounded in the principles of Shia Imamiyyah jurisprudence, doctrines such as necessity (iztirār), no-harm (lā-ḍarar), and beneficence (iḥsān) serve as the basis for the legitimacy of such interventions. In contrast, the German legal system, emphasizing the principle of patient autonomy, has anticipated prospective instruments such as advance healthcare directives and legal representatives for such circumstances. The aim of this study is to comparatively analyze these two systems to identify the legal gaps in Iran and to propose reformative solutions. This research employs a descriptive-analytical method with a comparative approach, examining jurisprudential, legal, and statutory sources in both Iran and Germany. The results of the study indicate that both legal systems prioritize the principle of saving the patient’s life in emergency conditions over other principles. However, the German legal system, through the codification of legal instruments such as advance healthcare directives and healthcare proxies, has managed to address executive shortcomings more precisely, while in Iranian law, such instruments lack codified legal foundations. This study argues that the Iranian legal system, while preserving its jurisprudential foundations, can benefit from the coherent structure of German law in protecting incapacitated patients. It is suggested that by drafting complementary regulations concerning healthcare proxies, medical wills, and health law education, not only can the legal security of physicians be strengthened, but patients’ rights can also be more effectively guaranteed. These measures can enhance the efficiency of the healthcare system in crisis situations.
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