Exploring ethical aspects of elective surgery patients' decision-making experiences

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Patient Autonomy
• Surgical Decision-Making

Background:

• Respecting patient autonomy is fundamental in healthcare.
• Empathy from healthcare professionals significantly impacts patient support during informed consent.
• Lack of empathy can compromise appropriate patient support in decision-making processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the decision-making experiences of patients undergoing elective surgery.
• To understand patient perspectives on autonomy and informed consent in the context of elective surgery.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological research approach.
• Data analysis guided by Colaizzi's method.
• Study involved 17 participants from a hospital in southern Taiwan.

Main Results:

• Two major themes identified: 'a voluntary yet necessary alternative--to undergo a surgery' and 'alternatives compelled by the unalterable decision--the surgery'.
• Patients perceive elective surgery as both a chosen option and a situation with limited alternatives.
• Empathy is identified as a critical factor influencing the quality of the informed consent process.

Conclusions:

• Informed consent for elective surgery may become a mere formality without healthcare professional empathy.
• Nurses play a vital role as patient advocates and communication facilitators.
• Enhancing empathy and communication is essential for upholding patient autonomy in surgical decision-making.