Ever decreasing circles: terminal illness, empowerment and decision-making

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Patient Empowerment
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Empowerment involves restoring patient dignity and self-worth.
• Nurses often face challenges in truly facilitating patient empowerment and choice.
• Power imbalances can exist between patients and healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of patients regarding empowerment and decision-making in a hospice setting.
• To analyze power dynamics and inequities in nursing practices related to patient autonomy.
• To understand the complexities of autonomy and empowerment in terminal illness.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological study utilizing Max van Manen's hermeneutic method.
• Qualitative exploration of patient narratives from a community hospice outpatient clinic.
• Analysis of participant stories to understand empowerment and decision-making.

Main Results:

• Identified themes include chaoticum, contracting worlds, and capitulation.
• Healthcare professionals must be mindful of their control levels.
• Palliative care providers should act as partners to enhance autonomous patient choice.

Conclusions:

• Empowerment is a shared process, not solely internal or externally imposed.
• Intentional efforts by healthcare professionals are crucial for patient empowerment.
• Enabling autonomy in daily decisions is vital for terminally ill patients' well-being.