EthicsPrinciple of respect for autonomy

Aim

Introduce the principle of respect for autonomy.Learning Objectives

• Define autonomy• Define competence• Discuss how the principle of respect for

autonomy relates to health care.

Definition

What does autonomy mean?

From the Greek: autos (self) Nomos (rule of law), broadly meaning ‘self-determination, self-rule, being your own person, self governing

Activity

Individually take 5 minutes to consider the following questions:

What decisions do you make about your life?What decisions do you make about other

people’s lives?How do you justify the decisions you make?How would you feel if I took away your ability

to make decisions?

Question?• How does the principle of respect for

autonomy relate to health care?• What does this mean in relation to patients?

What obligations does respecting patient autonomy impose on us in practice?

• Respecting autonomy means you must:Consider the words in the bubbles below, in groups of 2 or 3 create

statements which include 1 or more of these words.

PATIENT

VERACITY INFORMATION

COMMUNICATION PERSUADED

PREFERENCE

Autonomy v PaternalismPaternalism is defined as the overriding of individual choices or intentional actions in order to provide benefit to that individual (Beauchamp & Childress, 2001)

Occasions when it is not possible to respect a person’s autonomy

• What are these?

Autonomy & Competence

Pause for thought!

• When you were getting ready this morning were you autonomous and competent today?

• Did you decide what to wear, bring with you, how to get here?

• BUT: would you be competent to deliver a lecture on bio science??

• Autonomy refers to a general capacity of an individual

• Competence refers to more specific abilities, such as those involved in the performance of a specific task.

Factors which may affect competence

• Physical

• Psychological

• In many moral problems the question of the competence of the patient is absolutely crucial.

Learning Objectives

• Define autonomy

• Define competence

• Discuss how the principle of respect for autonomy relates to health care

ConclusionPrinciple of respect for autonomy and competence are crucial in moral decision making in nursing ethics, and require a great deal of thought.