Self-determination in surgical patients in five European countries.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the effects of informational support, desire for behavioral involvement in health decision-making (behavioral involvement), opportunities to make decisions, and independence on subjective health status in surgical patients. A theoretical model of self-determination was applied and tested.


METHODS
The data were collected by structured questionnaires with a sample of 1,454 surgical patients in five European countries. LISREL analyses were used to test the theoretical causal model of self-determination.


RESULTS
Patients' perceptions of informational support received from nursing professionals and their desired involvement in health decision-making affected patients' opportunities to make decisions and further their independence level, which in turn affected patients' subjective health status.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding of factors that increase self-determination in patients can help health care professionals to promote patients' well-being.
Välimäki
Maritta
M
University of Turku, Department of Nursing Science, 20014 Turku, Finland. numava@uta.fi
Leino-Kilpi
Helena
H
Grönroos
Matti
M
Dassen
Theo
T
Gasull
Maria
M
Lemonidou
Chryssoula
C
Scott
P Anne
PA
Arndt
Marianne Benedicta
MB
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005858:Germany; D006115:Greece; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000379:methods; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012606:Scotland; D012944:Social Support; D013030:Spain; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires