During a recent ethics committee meeting at a healthcare facility, a situation arose involving a terminally ill patient who expressed a desire to discontinue aggressive treatment. The healthcare team, however, was concerned that the patient was not fully informed about the consequences of this decision due to emotional distress stemming from their diagnosis. The committee must determine how to respect the patient's autonomy while ensuring that the patient is making an informed choice about their care. In the context of ethical practice and the management of care, the committee recognizes that they must prioritize the patient's rights while also considering the ethical principle of benevolence.
As such, the principle that must be prioritized in this scenario, which emphasizes the importance of thorough communication and understanding in making informed decisions, is known as __________.