Patient Autonomy

Term Paper # 101544

Medical and Health > Nursing

Patient Autonomy

This paper discusses the patient's right to refuse medications.

788 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper reveals that a patient has the right to refuse medical treatment of any kind, no matter how serious the consequences may be. The paper discusses how nurses have the necessary competence to succeed in gaining the patient's compliance. The paper looks at strategies the nurses utilize to gain compliance that not only respect patient autonomy but strengthen the relationship between nurse and patient.

From the Paper:

"According to Beauchamp and Childress (2001, p. 58), "personal autonomy is, at minimum, self-rule that is free from both controlling interference by others and from limitations, such as inadequate understanding that prevent meaningful choice". Immediately the question arises about whether certain patients are just not capable of meaningful choice. For example, patients with dementia and certain psychiatric problems would not seem to be able to make good decisions. However, hospitalization itself interferes with autonomy. Because of autonomy, each patient needs to be respected as well as being involved in all care decisions. In addition, each patient's independence is to be encouraged (Harris, 2005). The patient needs to be able to engage in reasoning, understanding, and making an independent decision. Even patients in mental institutions who have been declared legally incompetent are still able to make a number of autonomous choices including refusing to take medication (Wirshing, et al., 1998,)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Beauchamp, T. & Childress, J. (2001). London: Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford Press.
Harris, G. (2005). Ethical issues in community care. Journal of Community Nursing, 19 (11), 12-16.
Wirshing, D. (1998). Informed consent: Assessment of comprehension. American Journal of Psychiatry, 155, 1508-1511.