Autonomy as a universal expectation: a review and a research proposal.
In the World Health Report 2000 WHO introduces ethical issues in the elevation of health systems responsiveness performance. Although we consider this a positive step, the parameters considered in the Report are in some cases unsustained by extensive research. This is the case of autonomy, which is postulated as a "universal expectation". As we think that this is culture-linked issue we argue that such kind of universal categorizations lacks substantive empirical evidence. We undertook a short review of a small intentional sample of international literature, in order to demonstrate that regardless of the philosophical status of autonomy as a principle or category there is not background enough to postulate it as a universal expectation. We propose international collaborative research to define the issue, using qualitative research methodology.
Justo
Luis
L
Catedra de Bioetica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad nacional del Comahue, Catamarca 140, (8324) Cipolletti, Rio Negro, Argentina. justo@maipue.com
Villarreal
Jorgelina
J
D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000941:ethics; D036262:Empirical Research; D028781:Ethical Relativism; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics; D028662:Principle-Based Ethics; D036301:Qualitative Research