Autonomy: A Concept Analysis

1854 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essays on autonomy

Introduction

The concept analysis of autonomy will be analyzed according to the Walker and Avant method of concept analysis. Walker and Avant (2005) present a strategy for analyzing concepts in a comprehensive manner to present new theories and a common definition for different concepts. The current as well as historical meaning is an important aspect to analyze the concept of autonomy, as one must understand how one simple four syllable word grew into such a powerful concept. Definitive attributes drawn from the concept mapped for future use as well as case study as outlined by Walker and Avant (2005). The necessary attributes are then plugged into model, borderline, related and contrary cases so that full concept involvement and understanding is determined. Antecedents as well as consequences of the concept are also discussed for positive and negative connotations can clarify the meaning of the concept of autonomy. Finally the empirical referents of actual phenomena can be realized as Walker and Avant (2005) strive to explain and simplify the concept analysis.

Aims of the Concept

The aim of the analysis is meant to clarify the meaning of the word autonomy thereby the introduction of a concept. Clarification is needed as the word autonomy does have several meanings and not all apply to medical terminology, some meanings span to philosophy, technology and general decision making. The medical meaning is significant in the care of patients for improved outcomes through choice and educated decision making on the part of the patient. Autonomy can be empowering as a concept or even as a single word.

Current Uses of Autonomy

Autonomy is defined by dictionary reference as the state or quality of self-governing, also known as th...

... middle of paper ...

...Bioethical aspects of the recent changes in the policy of refusal of blood by Jehovah’s Witnesses. British Medical Journal 322(7277), 37-39.

Pantilat, S. (2008). Autonomy versus beneficence. Retrieved from http://missinglink.ucsf.edu/lm/ethics/content%20pages/fast_fact_auton_bene.htm

Paternalism. (n.d.) Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/paternalism?s=t

Piper, M. (n.d.). Internet encyclopedia of philosophy: A peer-reviewed academic resource. Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/aut-norm/

Walker, L.O., & Avant, K. (2005). Strategies for theory construction in nursing (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Will, J. F. (2011). A brief historical and theoretical perspective on patient autonomy and medical decision making: Part ii: The autonomy model. American College of Chest Physicians 139(6), 1491-1497.

Show More
Related

  • Marlise Munoz Case Study

    705 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beauchamp and Childress (2012) defined autonomy as self-ruled, self governance or self determination. John Peter Smith hospital did not respect the advance wishes of Mrs. Munoz. Although Marlise did not have a formal advance directive Mr. Munoz, her surrogate, continued to advocate her wishes . Mrs. Munoz right to autonomy

    Read More

  • Shafer-Landau's Argument Against Autonomy

    557 Words  | 2 Pages

    Autonomy is the basis of authenticity allowing individuals the ability to make choices that directly reflect their own values. The application of these values to one's decisions can result in both positive and negative outcomes. Hedonism claims that happiness is the only thing that carries value to life. All other things (e.g. autonomy) work in accordance to improve our lives only to the extent that they make one happier (Shafer-Landau 39).

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Peter Singer And Onora O Neill's Position On Famine Relief

    1016 Words  | 3 Pages

    What autonomy does is it helps stimulates an atmosphere of self-improvement in a community rather than people being dependent on others. Besides not using people as mere means O’Neill believes in helping develop others’ ends so that they can be independent.

    Read More

  • Autonomy And Paternalism Essay

    1193 Words  | 3 Pages

    Within public health, the issue of paternalism has become a controversial topic. Questions about the ethics of public health are being asked. The role of ethics in medical practice is now receiving close scrutiny, so it is timely that ethical concepts, such as autonomy and paternalism, be re-examined in their applied context (Med J Aust. 1994). Clinically, patients are treated on a one on one basis, but public health’s obligation is toward the protection and promotion of an entire population’s health. So, based on this difference, the gaping questions targeting public health now becomes, under what conditions is it right to intervene and override an individuals’ autonomy? And if so, is the paternalistic intervention justified? Part of the concern

    Read More

  • Physician Assisted Suicide Ethics

    1029 Words  | 3 Pages

    Autonomy, also referred to as self-determination, is defined as freedom of choice or accepting responsibility

    Read More

  • Patient Autonomy Case Study

    1163 Words  | 3 Pages

    Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political, and bioethical reasoning. Inside these connections, it is the limit of a sound individual to make an educated, unpressured decision. Patient autonomy can conflict with clinician autonomy and, in such a clash of values, it is not obvious which should prevail. (Lantos, Matlock & Wendler, 2011). In order to gain informed consent, a patient

    Read More

  • Patient Ethics Essay

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    The purpose f this paper is to answer the following question- where does patient autonomy leave off and professional expertise begin in the practice of medicine? Also, a brief personal analysis about the differences between doctors encouraging patients to question their judgment and doctors who believe that such deference is “pandering.”

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Alan Goldman's The Refutation Of Medical Paternalism

    1121 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his essay, “The Refutation of Medical Paternalism,” Alan Goldman discusses his argument against differentiation in the roles between physicians and patients. He says the physician may act against a patient’s will in order treat the patient in their best interest. Goldman makes his whole argument around the assumption that a person’s right to decide his or her future is the most important and fundamental right, saying, “the autonomous individual is the source of those other goods he enjoys, and so is not to be sacrificed for the sake of them.” His claim is that most people agree that they are the best judges of their own self-interest and there is an innate value in the freedom to determine their own future. On these principles, Goldman starts by discussing conditions under which paternalism may be justified.

    Read More

  • Individual Autonomy and Social Structure, by Dorothy Lee

    852 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the article “Individual Autonomy and Social Structure”, Dorothy Lee talks about individual autonomy. She goes through the topic by examining different groups such as; the Wintu Indians of California, the Sikh family, the Navaho Indians of Arizona and New Mexico, and the Chinese culture. All of these different groups and societies give personal freedom to the individuals regardless of age groups. The example of Navaho Indians is used by Lee to demonstrate how “personal autonomy is supported by the cultural framework” (Lee, 1959, p.5). She points out the individual autonomy of non-western societies to the individuality of western society. One group gives full independence to an individual while the other does not and puts restrictions in place through some form. She states “...in a heterogeneous society such as ours, and in an era of induced change and speeded temp of living, it has been difficult to implement this tenet in the everyday details of living” (Lee, 1959, p.5). She points out the fast living pace of western society, where the personal autonomy given from the other cultures is lacking.

    Read More

  • Healthcare Ethical Issues

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although healthcare providers are able to have some input in the decision making process in healthcare, they truly are not always aware of what their patients want. Only a patient has the responsibility to decide what direction according to their health that they want to go. It is a matter of choosing someone or something to lay out directives in case such a circumstance is to take place. Mo...

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Conflict Of Autonomy And Authority By Robert Paul Wolff

    816 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “The Conflict of Autonomy and Authority” Robert Paul Wolff argues that the state’s authority is in conflict with having genuine autonomy. He reasons as follows. If there were a supreme political authority, which have a right to rule, there would be an obligation for a man to obey its laws. However, a man has an obligation to be autonomous, which means taking responsibility for making one’s own decisions about what one should do. Autonomous man has primary obligation to refuse to be ruled. Therefore, a supreme political authority does not have a right to claim authority over a man who has a moral obligation to be autonomous. He concludes by denying the concept of de jure legitimate state.

    Read More

  • Political Autonomy

    1121 Words  | 3 Pages

    This idea has appeared especially vividly in the writings of Kant and John Stuart Mill. However, the notion of political autonomy is more specific than the general idea of it. Although approaches of various philosophers

    Read More

  • Ethical Principles Of Nurse-Patient Communication

    737 Words  | 2 Pages

    Autonomy is a principle that allows a patient or authorizing agent to make decisions regarding healthcare decisions without any outside influence (Burkhardt & Nathanial, 2014, p.440) As the nurse, it is important to understand

    Read More

  • Autonomy

    1132 Words  | 3 Pages

    This class has enlightened me to many topics that make up the subject of organizational behavior. However, there is one topic that has gained my attention, and that is Autonomy. Autonomy gained my attention because it is when management lessens its controls on the way employees complete their tasks, sometimes even allowing employees to do their jobs without any supervision at all. Autonomy is interesting to me because it is breaking the traditional mindset of micromanaging and that it was the only way to improve productivity.

    Read More

  • Personal Autonomy Essay

    1185 Words  | 3 Pages

    Achieving personal autonomy to me means to have an interest for own personal achievements in life. It is the freedom to live your own life as you please. As young children we learn to follow people who we trust make decisions for us, but as we become adolescence we start wanting to make decisions for ourselves. That is where personal autonomy comes into play, as we mature taking control of our own life in a way that we want to live can create an inner happiness; no one wants anyone to control their life. We may have people who love and care for us that may give advice about what choices we should make in life simply because they want the best for us, but at the end of the day we make our own decisions which reflect the way we live (Koestner, R. 2008).

    Read More

More about Autonomy: A Concept Analysis

Open Document