Informed refusal and patient autonomy: using reflection to examine how nursing knowledge and theory affect attitudes

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Medical Ethics
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Reflection is a key tool in nursing for critical incident analysis and integrating theory with practice.
• Understanding patient autonomy is crucial in healthcare decision-making.

Observation:

• The paper explores nursing knowledge and theory influences on reactions to informed refusal of treatment.
• A case study of a Jehovah's Witness family refusing a blood transfusion is presented.

Findings:

• Different nursing knowledge frameworks can shape responses to patient autonomy and treatment refusal.
• The case highlights the complexities of balancing patient wishes with medical recommendations.

Implications:

• Enhancing nursing education on diverse knowledge types can improve patient-centered care.
• This reflection promotes deeper understanding of ethical dilemmas in clinical practice.
• Supports the integration of theoretical knowledge into practical nursing scenarios.