Patients' perceptions of self-determination as expressed in the context of care

Nordgren, StinaHögskolan i Halmstad,Sektionen för hälsa och samhälle (HOS),School of Social and Health Sciences, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden, School of the Health Care Programme, Sodra Vardskolan, Halmstad, Sweden, Åsgårdsvagen 14 A, SE-30241 Halmstad, Sweden (author)

Aim The aim of this study was to describe patients' perceptions of how self-determination finds expression in the context of care. Background Self-determination is an important concept within health care as well as an important patient right. New legislation on patient rights in Sweden and Europe is aimed at increased patient self-determination. Design and method Data were collected through semi-structured, tape-recorded interviews with 17 strategically chosen patients within somatic care and analysed using a method inspired by phenomenography. Results The analysis found three descriptive categories of the informants' perceptions: trusting, accepting and a feeling of powerlessness. The patients expressed a great sense of trust and confidence in the care provided and they accepted the health care procedures. At the same time, they expressed a feeling of powerlessness because of not being part of decision-making, as well as lacking knowledge and information about treatment strategies. The patients wished to have the right of more self-determination but lacked the strength and knowledge to be able to influence their own care. Conclusions Patients' perceptions of self-determination suggest that, in their encounters with the professional care, knowledge is expressed as power. The feeling of a lack of self-determination can be reduced by help and support from a nurse who allocates time for communication in order to learn the patient's needs and reach a mutual understanding.

Fridlund, BengtHögskolan i Halmstad,Sektionen för hälsa och samhälle (HOS)(Swepub:hj)frbe (author)
Högskolan i HalmstadSektionen för hälsa och samhälle (HOS) (creator_code:org_t)

In:Journal of Advanced NursingOxford : Blackwell Scientific35:1, s. 117-1250309-24021365-2648

About the subject

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES: MEDICAL AND HEAL ...; and Health Sciences; and Nursing

By the university: Halmstad University; Linköping University; Jönköping University

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