2005/01/01 by Sally Humphreys · 1 citation
Health Professions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Engineering · #Ethics in medical practice #Medical Malpractice and Liability Issues #Patient Dignity and Privacy #Autonomy #Paternalism #Beneficence #Empowerment #Unit (ring theory) #Pacu #Nursing #Health care #Patient Empowerment #Medicine #Psychology #Engineering ethics #Political science #Law #Engineering #Surgery
paper · doi:10.1177/175045890501500103
openalex publication_date 2005/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
The need for patient autonomy, empowerment and choice has become central to health reforms. Confronted with the prospects of such perpetual changes, respect for patient autonomy has to be tempered with paternalistic beneficence. This article discusses the difficulties encountered when applying patient autonomy within the post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU), evaluating ethical, legal and professional issues.