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The interplay between autonomy and dignity: summarizing patients voices

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Abstract

Patients have to be respected with dignity as the masters of their own lives. The problem, however, is that autonomy may become so dominant and the fundamental value of caring in professional nursing that the patient’s dignity is affected. The aim of this article is to point out some of the issues with the interplay between autonomy, also called self-management and dignity. Given voice to the patient perspective the background is provided by cases from research conducted through qualitative interviews with patients and expanded by summarizing empirical research concerning the interplay between autonomy and dignity. The search strategy and the research question gave five empirical research papers and three theoretical studies and concept analyses. A concise overview of the relevant research contains information about all the major elements of the studies. The background research and an interpretative summary address new issues to be taken into account in dignity conserving care.

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Notes

  1. The two concepts autonomy and self-management are used synonymously, also according to the Greek: autos- (self) and nomos (law).

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  1. Department of Nursing Science, School of Public Health and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Høgh Guldbergsgade 6 A, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Charlotte Delmar

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  1. Charlotte Delmar
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Correspondence to Charlotte Delmar.

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Delmar, C. The interplay between autonomy and dignity: summarizing patients voices. Med Health Care and Philos 16, 975–981 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-012-9416-6

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