Self-determination and older people - a concept analysis

• Self-determination has emerged as an important concept within health care, used to emphasize clients’ control and independence as they participate in rehabilitation. To strengthen client’s self-determination is a central aim in occupational therapy in particular. However, occupational therapy lacks a clear definition of self-determination to research the lives of frail older people. Moreover, the definition of self-determination will need to be flexible to take different context into account, whether socio-cultural, legal, ethical, linguistic or medical. Aim: To define and clarify the concept of self-determination in relation to community-dwelling frail older people. Method: Walker & Avant’s analysis procedure was carried out with the aim of identifying textual attributes to the concept of self-determination, supplemented by a content analysis of 21 articles that were used to define and further justify the textual attributes. Major findings: Self-determination was used in diverse contexts for community-dwelling older people: concerning decision-making in everyday life, being used by professionals working with older people, concerning health, and the rights of the older people. The study classifies different textual attributes to self-determination, and proposes a conceptual definition of self-determination in relation to community-dwelling frail older people. Principal conclusion: Concept analysis has contributed to clarify the concept for the convenience of research with community-dwelling frail older people.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsterapi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Therapy (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Gerontologi, medicinsk/hälsovetenskaplig inriktning (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Keywords: decisional autonomy

definition

occupational therapy

research

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)