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08:01
Virtual Hand with Ambiguous Movement between the Self and Other Origin: Sense of Ownership and 'Other-Produced' Agency
Published on: October 28, 2020
Realizing autonomy in responsive relationships.
Albine Moser1, Rob Houtepen, Cor Spreeuwenberg
1Department of General Practice, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Science, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. albine.moser@hag.unimaas.nl
Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy
|March 27, 2010
Summary
Older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus achieve autonomy through supportive relationships. Responsive care, collaborative efforts, and trust within family dynamics are key to their independence.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Gerontology
- Bioethics
Background:
- Autonomy is crucial for older adults, particularly those with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- Factors influencing autonomy are multifaceted, encompassing health, treatment, personal, and social contexts.
- Ethical discussions in nursing require empirical data on patient autonomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the concept of autonomy in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- To integrate empirical findings with ethical discussions on relational autonomy in nursing care.
- To identify factors supporting autonomy within responsive relationships.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative interviews with 15 older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a nurse-led clinic.
- Literature review on care ethics, caring in nursing, and relational autonomy.
- Classification of care literature into five strands: attitude, dialogue, activity, relationship, and life-oriented.
Main Results:
- Participants identified three key processes supporting autonomy: preserving concern and interaction, nurturing collaboration, and engaging in trusting family relations.
- Autonomy is realized within unique life contexts and responsive relationships.
- Relational autonomy is fostered when patients, nurses, healthcare professionals, and families engage in care activities with a relational attitude.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive approach to care and caring is advocated to support patient autonomy.
- Responsive relationships and essential aspects of care are vital for older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to realize autonomy.
- Empirical findings augment the ethical discourse on autonomy in nursing practice.
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