Autonomy, privacy and informed consent 3: elderly care perspective.
Despite the growing interest in clinical healthcare ethics, there is a dearth of empirical studies investigating the ethical elements of day-to-day clinical practice from the perspective of either patients or staff. This article, the third in a four-part series, reports the results of a Scottish Study that formed part of a multi-site comparative study funded by the European Commission. It explores patient autonomy, privacy and informed consent in the care of elderly people in long-stay care facilities (i.e. nursing homes and continuing care units). A convenience sample of 101 elderly residents and their nurses (n = 160) participated in the study. Data were collected by means of a self-completion questionnaire for staff and a structured interview schedule for elderly residents. Results indicate marked differences between staff's and residents' responses on three of the four dimensions explored: information-giving, and opportunity to participate in decision-making about care and consent. There was much closer agreement between staff's and residents' responses regarding protection of patient privacy. From the results of this study there is indication of a clear need for further empirical studies exploring issues of patient autonomy, privacy and informed consent in the day-to-day nursing care of older people. Findings to date suggest there is still a significant need to educate staff concerning ethical awareness and sensitivity to the dignity and rights of patients.
Scott
P A
PA
Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Stirling, Scotland.
Välimäki
M
M
Leino-Kilpi
H
H
Dassen
T
T
Gasull
M
M
Lemonidou
C
C
Arndt
M
M
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards; D016852:Housing for the Elderly / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D018907:Privacy; D012606:Scotland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires