In: Nursing
Essay:
It is generally accepted that autonomy should be followed when end of life care decisions are made; however, some bioethicists have challenged this, stating that there are some situations when the patient's autonomy should be overruled. Discuss these situations and argue for (or against) each situation from a bioethical standpoint.
Every individual has a rights which applies to them likewise, in healthcare autonomy is applied where the patient has the right to make decisions related to medical care they receive or even refuse care. It is a hot topic due to its controversies. Now, there are certain code of ethics in healthcare such as justice and beneficence where the healthcare workers has to provide justice to the care they provide to the patient which is fair, and provide care or plan care which will only benefit the patient and do no harm respectively, On the contrary, Autonomy will do just the opposite as it is the decision of the patient and healthcare worker has no input in this. There are certain situations where the patient is unable to make decisions such as if the patient is unconcious, or if the patient has altered sensorium in such case the deicision will be made by the patients next of kin.
I strongly believe that Autonomy should be followed as it is the patients right and we should all respect it as the patient is the one going through or battleing with the disease condition, I believe that they should be able to control or demand things which needs to be done in their body. Ofcourse, everything should be explained to them whether it is about the treatment plan, procedures and its outcome in the language that they understand. For example, Euthenesia which is a very big topic is legal in some states and is illegal in others, Euthenesia is when the patient wants to end their life painless in case of long term illness or when it is incurable. I believe that patient should be able to make their call because we all are aware there are certain disease conditions which cannot be treated or curable hence, to avoid unnecessary needle prick and suffering autonomy should be respected.