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PubMed2005

Protecting autonomy as authenticity using Ulysses contracts.

Pre-commitment directives or Ulysses contracts are often defended as instruments that may strengthen the autonomous self-control of episodically disordered psychiatric patients. Autonomy is understood in this context in terms of sovereignty ("governing" or "managing" oneself). After critically analyzing this idea of autonomy in the context of various forms of self-commitment and pre-commitment, we argue that what is at stake in using Ulysses contracts in psychiatry is not autonomy as sovereignty, but autonomy as authenticity. Pre-commitment directives do not function to protect autonomous self-control. They serve in upholding the guidance that is provided by one's deepest identity conferring concerns. We elucidate this concept of autonomy as authenticity, by showing how Ulysses contracts protect the possibility of being "a self."

Advance Directive Adherence↗
PubMed1992

The right to genetic information: some reflections on Dutch developments.

New developments in genetics are rapidly spreading over the Western World. The standards of clinical practice differ however according to local value- and health-care systems. In this article a short survey is given of Dutch developments in this field. An effort is made to explain the philosophical and ethical background of Dutch policy by concentrating on autonomy, responsibility and the right not to know.

Beneficence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An exploration of the ethical dimensions pertinent to gaining consent for thrombolysis.

--This paper explores some of the pertinent ethical principles involved in gaining consent in thrombolysis, relevant to both nurses and paramedics. --It describes ethical concerns regarding this practice. --Two key themes that have been explored are around the issue of autonomy and paternalism. --With nurse-initiated thrombolysis gaining momentum, an awareness of key ethical dimensions is fundamental.

Beneficence↗
PubMed2006

Prisoners and autonomy: implications for the informed consent process with vulnerable populations.

This article uses certain essential characteristics of the principle of autonomy to explore the issue of prisoners' rights to decision-making and action in general, and research participation in particular. Exploring the moral principle of autonomy and its importance in furthering human rights will inform nurses who are conducting research with prisoners or other vulnerable populations.

Coercion↗
PubMed1993

Autonomy and the akratic patient.

I argue that the distinction which is current in much writing on medical ethics between autonomous and non-autonomous patients cannot cope comfortably with weak-willed (incontinent) patients. I describe a case involving a patient who refuses a blood transfusion even though he or she agrees that it would be in his or her best interests. The case is discussed in the light of the treatment of autonomy by B Brody and R Gillon. These writers appear to force us to treat an incontinent patient either as autonomous, just like a rational agent whose decisions are in accordance with his beliefs or as non-autonomous, like comatose patients or children. Though neither is entirely satisfactory I opt for describing such patients as autonomous but point out that in cases like this the principle of respect for autonomy does not give a determinate answer about how the patient ought to be treated.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Autonomy, problem-based learning, and the teaching of medical ethics.

Autonomy has been the central principle underpinning changes which have affected the practice of medicine in recent years. Medical education is undergoing changes as well, many of which are underpinned, at least implicitly, by increasing concern for autonomy. Some universities have embarked on graduate courses which utilize problem-based learning (PBL) techniques to teach all areas, including medical ethics. I argue that PBL is a desirable method for teaching and learning in medical ethics. It is desirable because the nature of ethical enquiry is highly compatible with the learning processes which characterize PBL. But it is also desirable because it should help keep open the question of what autonomy really is, and how it should operate within the sphere of medical practice and medical education.

Curriculum↗
PubMed2005

"Saying no is no easy matter" a qualitative study of competing concerns in rationing decisions in general practice.

BACKGROUND: The general practitioner in Norway is expected to ensure equity and effectiveness through fair rationing. At the same time, due to recent reforms of the Norwegian health care sector, both the role of economic incentives and patient autonomy have been strengthened. Studies indicate that modern general practitioners, both in Norway and in other countries are uncomfortable with the gatekeeper role, but there is little knowledge about how general practitioners experience rationing in practice. METHODS: Through focus group interviews with Norwegian general practitioners, we explore physicians' attitudes toward factors of influence on medical decision making and how rationing dilemmas are experienced in everyday practice. RESULTS: Four major concerns appeared in the group discussions: The obligation to ration health care, professional autonomy, patient autonomy, and competition. A central finding was that the physicians find rationing difficult because saying no in face to face relations often is felt uncomfortable and in conflict with other important objectives for the general practitioner. CONCLUSION: It is important to understand the association between using economic incentives in the management of health care, increasing patient autonomy, and the willingness among physicians to contribute to efficient, fair and legitimate resource allocation.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1988

Ethical reasoning and informed consent in occupational therapy.

Two major ethical theories, the teleological and the deontological, are defined and briefly discussed. A subsequent discussion explores how the ethical principles of informed consent and patient autonomy operate in medical decisions. The application to occupational therapy is left for the reader's judgment.

Comprehension↗
PubMed1990

Patient care and paternalism: dilemmas of family practice.

From the clinical records of a country doctor, this vignette concerns a teenaged girl who, having refused treatment, is persuaded, under near duress, to accept a regimen that her family physician considers best for her. Although apparently arrogant paternalism, the practitioner's approach proves, on reflection, to possess considerable merit. The author discusses the ethical principles that have led to rejection of paternalism in the West. Formulated as absolute maxims, they soon require, like all absolutes, a multitude of explanations and additions. Some logical, social, and other "exceptions" are briefly mentioned, because the old doctor's intuitive actions seem to have oddly coincided with a number of them. Yet the questions remain: Should this medical practitioner have become so deeply involved? Should he have interfered with his patient's autonomy to the extent he did? Was he justified?

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Ethical aspects of transcultural research].

An increasing number of patients in contact with the Danish health services have a non-Danish background. What are the ethical questions and dilemmas doctors face with this patient population in relation to their participation in medical research? This paper discusses the core medical ethical principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice in relation to the participation in research of members of various ethnic groups.

Biomedical Research↗
PubMed2005

Tobacco chippers report diminished autonomy over smoking.

We assessed tobacco chippers (n=35) for symptoms of diminished autonomy over tobacco use, which begins when symptoms present a barrier to smoking cessation. Although they reported each of the symptoms measured by the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist, chippers' level of autonomy was generally higher than that of regular smokers and their symptom intensity was low. The rank order of symptom prevalence in chippers and regular smokers was similar, and 40% of chippers had failed at least one cessation attempt. Only 23% of chippers reported full autonomy over their smoking. Although chippers may not warrant a dependence diagnosis, they may benefit from help with cessation. Autonomy over smoking may be a more useful basis than cigarette consumption rates for classifying smokers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Acquisition of autonomy skills in adolescents with myelomeningocele.

This study describes ages of acquisition (AOA) of typical adolescent autonomy skills in a regional cohort of individuals with myelomeningocele (MM), aged 12 to 18 years, with a mean age of 14 years 11 months (SD 2y 5mo). Prospectively collected data over 10 years were analyzed. Regression analysis, using Generalized Estimation Equation, provided 50th centile and 75th centile AOA for each skill. One hundred and fifty-eight participants (90 males, 68 females) attended 378 annual patient visits. Patient contacts were equally distributed across age and physical severity groupings. Twenty-four percent of participants had functional lesion levels at or above L2, and 38% between L3-L5, 38% at S1 or below. Eighty-four percent had shunted hydrocephalus, 24% were independent in ambulation, and 69% achieved toileting independence before adolescence. AOA for autonomy skills were delayed by 25 to 30% when compared with typically developing adolescents. Differences in cognitive ability explained the variance in median ages for skill acquisition (p=0.01) more than physical lesion level. Participants acquired community skills at a median age of 16 years 6 months. Twelve percent of 18-year-olds drove cars (9% with supervision, 3% independently), regardless of physical lesion severity. We conclude that adolescents with MM acquire the majority of autonomy skills 2 to 5 years later than their typically developing peers. This study establishes AOA timelines for autonomy skills in adolescents with MM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

The 'right' not to know.

There is a common view in medical ethics that the patient's right to be informed entails, as well, a correlative right not to be informed, i.e., to waive one's right to information. This paper argues, from a consideration of the concept of autonomy as the foundation for rights, that there can be no such 'right' to refuse relevant information, and that the claims for such a right are inconsistent with both deontological and utilitarian ethics. Further, the right to be informed is shown to be a mandatory right (though not a welfare right); persons are thus seen to have both a right and a duty to be informed. Finally, the consequences of this view are addressed: since the way in which we conceptualize our problems tends to determine the actions we take to resolve them, it is important properly to conceptualize patients' requests not to be informed. There may be many reasons for acting in accord with such a request, but it is a mistake to conceptualize one's act as 'respecting a right possessed by persons'.

Ethical Analysis↗