title: Right or duty of information: A Habermasian perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The theoretical framework of Jϋrgen Habermas suggests that effective communication requires competent participants with an objective attitude that complies with the rules and worlds designated as objective, social and subjective. This situation determines communicative action, which stimulates the search for mutual understanding and results in a process of interaction that promotes self-determination.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, the discharge letters of patients with myocardial infarction were explored regarding the provision of information. The patient's right to information and the duty of informing were analysed according to the perspective of Jϋrgen Habermas.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional analysis (from a broader longitudinal study) of all discharge letters that were directly related to nursing interventions regarding the provision of information to 106 patients. In this major study, the difficulties faced by patients who experienced a myocardial infarction and the changes in their lifestyles were analysed based on the type of information received.
  
  
  METHODS
  The hospital Ethics Committee approved the study, which complied with ethical principles and required informed consent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the nursing letters, interventions related to the provision of information were conducted at an average of 3.59 interventions per patient. For 8.5% of the patients, however, no interventions related to the provision of information were performed. The most common area of information during hospitalisation was related to the management of signs and symptoms and applied to 90.6% patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nursing interventions did not cover patient education, transition processes or awareness of the disease. Thus, the right to information can be questioned.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Information is a right, and communication is extremely important. Health professionals should be aware of this importance regarding both care management and the satisfaction guarantee. The sharing of information by health professionals based on their competency is essential for patients to exercise their right to self-determination and decision-making.
authors.affiliation: University of Porto, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar de S. João, Portugal sofiartnunes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sofia R T
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: University of Porto, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar de S. João, PortugalUniversity of Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Guilhermina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rego
authors.affiliation: University of Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nunes
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information / Q000941:ethics*; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000451:nursing*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D009742:Nursing Theory; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000941:ethics*; D026684:Personal Autonomy
keywords: Access to information; Habermas; communication; information management; myocardial infarction; patient rights