Etiska frågor i kirurgisk vård. Autonomi och medvetna samtycket i Finland
Sammanfattning
This article describes the views of
surgical inpatients (n=464) and
nursing staff (n=451) on the realisation
of patient autonomy and
informed consent in Finland. The
data for the study were collected in
a questionnaire and analysed by
statistical methods. Patient autonomy
was divided into two components,
viz. decision-making and
access to relevant information.
Overall surgical patients enjoyed
reasonably high levels of autonomy,
although the views of patients
and nurses differed statistically
significantly. Significant differences
were also observed between
patients’and nurses’views on
informed consent. Several background
factors were associated
with the realisation of autonomy
and informed consent. Further
research needs to pay attention to
the most problematic areas: information
about the risks involved in
different surgical procedures, decision-making
on alternative therapies,
and the presence of a support
person during procedures. Also the
reasons for differences in the views
of patients and nursing staff should
be explored. The study forms part
of an EU-funded project (BMH4-
CT98-3555) coordinated by Finland
and involving Spain, Greece,
Germany and Scotland.