Grace &McLaughlin (AJN, 2005), revealed on their study that people are most vulnerable when they are sick and health care providers often have a stereotype that they have better knowledge than the patient and they may unintentionally harm the patient. So, informed consent is very important to protect patient’s right and nurses are in an ideal place to play the advocacy role in different ways such as, a defender of patient’s right, .Johnston, M.J., (2009), also reemphasized the advocacy role of nurses and moral purpose of informed consent is to protect patients from the harm and to improve quality of life. (AJN, 2009). Quick (2010), emphasized that nurses should play mediator role that they should create favorable environment for communication between patients and practitioners. This will find the common complications in order for the patients to consider the benefits and inevitable risk of treatment. (As cited in the journal of preoperative practice, 2010). More Rock, M.J., & Hoebek, R. (2014), agreed that informed consent is an essential and fundamental right to medical treatment. To protect this right of the patient nurses can play the role of an advocate for them by protecting and preserving patient’s autonomy. (As cited in MEDSURGNursing, 2014). Susilo. et.al (2012), also state, nurse are continuously present in the wards and become easy accessible for patients to talk about their upcoming treatment procedure and nurses can help patients to be aware of their right to have full information about informed consent. (AS cited in Journal of interpersonal Care, 2012). Analysis To analyse all related articles, I strongly agree that informed consent is imperative to treatment and that the nurses are patient’s hand holders in every aspect of the treatment procedure. All articles enlighten the importance of informed consent and the fact that, it is the basic human right of self-determination as a dignified autonomous human being. Although, consent to treatment is a right of an individual there are some factors which hinders the autonomy of those incompetent patients, such as children, elderly and mentally ill people. All findings also revealed, to obtain consent is not the legal responsibility of nurses but most of the time nurses witness the patient’s signature as verification so, it enforces the legal and ethical responsibility towards nurses to ensure that the informed consent is valid. Moreover, Most of the articles enforced the importance of informed consent and the advocacy role of
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At this situation, nurses could play the pivotal role by facilitating open communication between health care providers and patients within safe and non- threatening environment as patients often hesitate to ask the needed information. Patients sometimes may be in stress for , e.g. when they get information on being diagnosed with cancer, kidney disease, or need to undergo immediate surgery etc. In this situation they might not be capable enough to take an informed decision making. This is because if promoting and maintaining informed decision making of this code is not followed, and then it is considered unethical practice. As a patient’s advocate, we should always protect the patient’s right whether they are capable enough to give consent and that they are fully informed about the treatment. As we are practicing patient centered care, we must always ensure that the given consent is voluntary and is without any coercion or
At this situation, nurses could play the pivotal role by facilitating open communication between health care providers and patients within safe and non- threatening environment as patients often hesitate to ask the needed information. Patients sometimes may be in stress for , e.g. when they get information on being diagnosed with cancer, kidney disease, or need to undergo immediate surgery etc. In this situation they might not be capable enough to take an informed decision making. This is because if promoting and maintaining informed decision making of this code is not followed, and then it is considered unethical practice. As a patient’s advocate, we should always protect the patient’s right whether they are capable enough to give consent and that they are fully informed about the treatment. As we are practicing patient centered care, we must always ensure that the given consent is voluntary and is without any coercion or