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Next of kin
1Royal College of Nursing, London.
Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
|January 27, 1999
Summary
Understanding who qualifies as a patient's next of kin is crucial for nurses. This article clarifies the definition, including non-biologically related partners, to ensure patient wishes are respected.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Patient Rights
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- The definition of 'next of kin' is often ambiguous in healthcare settings.
- Current definitions may exclude partners not related by blood or marriage, impacting patient care and advocacy.
- Negative experiences of lesbian and gay individuals highlight the need for inclusive definitions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the definition of 'next of kin' in patient care.
- To address whether partners, including same-sex partners, should be included.
- To provide guidance for nurses and healthcare institutions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of legal and ethical definitions of 'next of kin'.
- Review of patient advocacy literature, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Examination of negative patient experiences related to next of kin identification.
Main Results:
- The term 'next of kin' requires a broader interpretation to encompass chosen family and partners.
- Excluding non-biologically related partners can lead to significant distress and disenfranchisement for patients.
- Current admission documents may not accurately reflect a patient's intended support system.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare providers must adopt inclusive definitions of 'next of kin'.
- Admission documents should be revised to allow patients to designate their preferred support persons.
- Respecting patient autonomy necessitates recognizing their chosen family structures.