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Focusing on relationships, not information, respects autonomy during antenatal consultations
Author(s) -
Gaucher Nathalie,
Payot Antoine
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.13590
Subject(s) - autonomy , interdependence , medicine , doctrine , informed consent , nursing , public relations , alternative medicine , law , political science , pathology
Abstract Policy statements regarding antenatal consultations for preterm labour are guided by physicians’ concerns for upholding the legal doctrine of informed consent, through the provision of standardised homogeneous medical information. This approach, led by classical in‐control conceptions of patient autonomy, conceives moral agents as rational, independent, self‐sufficient decision‐makers. Recent studies on these antenatal consultations have explored patients’ perspectives, and these differ from guidelines’ suggestions. Relational autonomy – which understands moral agents as rational, emotional, creative and interdependent – resonates impressively with these new data. Conclusion A model for antenatal consultations is proposed. This approach encourages clinicians to explore individual patients’ lived experiences and engage in trusting empowering relationships. Moreover, it calls on physicians to enhance patients’ relational autonomy by becoming advocates for their patients within healthcare institutions and professional organisations, while calling for broadscale policy changes to encourage further funding and support in investigations of the patient's voice.

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