Operationalizing autonomy: solutions for mental health nursing practice

Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
P J Harnett, A-M Greaney

Abstract

The new Mental Health Act (2001) became a law on 1 November 2006. The new Act, reflective of international legislative norms, outlines an agenda for the mental health services in Ireland which, in part, aims to maximize patient autonomy. This paper seeks to contextualize autonomy within nurse-patient interactions in the mental health care setting. The acceptance of autonomy as an unconditional principle, as outlined within traditional bioethics, is challenged. The paper draws on the social critique of normative ethics and suggests an alternative framework within which to operationalize patient autonomy. The authors conclude that a broader, more contextualized perspective on autonomy would more suitably inform mental health nursing. Narrative ethics and a framework of 'protective responsibility' are offered as an alternative to more traditional approaches. Practice-based initiatives to maximize patient autonomy and facilitate-reasoned ethical decision making are outlined.

References

Apr 1, 1990·The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy·K D Clouser, B Gert
Jun 1, 1988·The Gerontologist·B J Collopy
May 1, 1972·Community Mental Health Journal·J M Riley, P A Fellin
Mar 1, 1983·The Journal of Hospital Infection·J C KingdomC T Keane
Nov 1, 1994·Social Science & Medicine·B Hoffmaster
Jan 1, 1995·Journal of Advanced Nursing·C May
Dec 1, 1994·American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics : Official Publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, Its Constituent Societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics
Dec 1, 1993·Journal of Advanced Nursing·C H Gibson
Aug 1, 1993·Journal of Advanced Nursing·P W Nolan
Jul 1, 1997·International Journal of Trauma Nursing·J S Halpern
Nov 19, 1997·Journal of Human Hypertension·M N Hill
Apr 9, 1998·Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics : CQ : the International Journal of Healthcare Ethics Committees
Dec 18, 1998·Nursing Ethics·P A Scott
May 7, 1998·Health Care Analysis : HCA : Journal of Health Philosophy and Policy·D Seedhouse
Aug 5, 1998·Health Care Analysis : HCA : Journal of Health Philosophy and Policy·D Seedhouse
Aug 12, 1999·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·D Drysdale
Jan 13, 2001·Journal of Advanced Nursing·B Olofsson, A Norberg
Oct 20, 2001·Journal of Medical Ethics·David Seedhouse
Jan 1, 1988·Nursing Forum·Judith M Wilkinson
Jan 5, 2002·Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine·R A Fox
Apr 2, 2002·Archives of Psychiatric Nursing·Susan McCabe
Feb 8, 2003·British Journal of Nursing : BJN·P A ScottM Arndt
Mar 29, 2003·Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing·A J O'Brien, C G Golding
Aug 16, 2003·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Christopher Littlejohn
Sep 25, 2003·The Journal of Experimental Biology·D L DoolanD J Carucci
Sep 30, 2003·Lancet·Seth Berkley
Dec 17, 2003·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Ingrid Randers, Anne-Cathrine Mattiasson
Mar 19, 2005·Liver Transplantation : Official Publication of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society·Shawn J PelletierRobert M Merion
Jul 28, 2005·Nursing Ethics·Paula K Vuckovich, Barbara M Artinian
Dec 14, 2005·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·Julian C Hughes, K W M Fulford
Dec 14, 2005·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·Gwen Adshead, Sameer P Sarkar
Dec 14, 2005·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·Clive Baldwin
Mar 15, 2006·Community Mental Health Journal·Anna ScheyettChristina Rausch
Jul 4, 2006·Administration and Policy in Mental Health·Nicholas G Castle

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 22, 2012·International Journal of Older People Nursing·Claire WelfordTheresia Frauenlob
Nov 9, 2010·International Journal of Mental Health Nursing·Tineke BroerRoland A Bal
Nov 1, 2011·Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy·Anna-Marie GreaneyP Anne Scott
Jan 15, 2020·Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing·Sungkyoung ChoiWon Lee

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.