People make decisions concerning health care based on their beliefs, attitudes and cultural values. Cultural beliefs control choices made about health care options, information disclosure. They should also be considered to be the reason behind self- governance notions and destiny, truth and protection from harm linguistics to provide reality, religion, the meaning of suffering, historical discrimination and lack of trust in the healthcare system (Axford, J. & O’Callaghan, C. , 2004).
For example European Americans value independence and self empowerment and so favor advance directives and full disclosure of their health condition. African Americans on the other side are reluctant to delegate decision making and object to limited treatment. Hispanics value decisions made by family members and they also value the effects of their illness on their families. Asians prefer to protect the patients from knowing the seriousness of their illness or impeding death. Generally decisions made by the family are preferred. Part IV Patients have every right to be involved in making decisions concerning their health.
They should be encouraged to participate in managing their health care together with the professionals. To achieve this, the clinician requires the ability to communicate and identify the patients healthcare needs. Davis implied that it is impossible for the patient to make decisions about their care, one must seek authority from those persons empowered to make decisions on their behalf (2005). Clinicians are required to listen to the patients about their cares and communicate effectively with them, inform them abut the medical options available and help them make informed decisions.
Clinicians must be able to share information about what the patients want or need and be able to respect a patient’s right to refuse treatment or care. It is necessary to share information appropriately with other healthcare workers involved in the care of the patient.
References:
Axford, J. S. & O’Callaghan, C. A. (2004). Medicine. (2nd ed). New York: Wiley- Blackwell. Bush, S. S & American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology. (2007). Ethical Decision Making in Clinical Neuropsychology. New York: Oxford University Press. Craven, R. F. & Hirnle, C. J. (2008).
Fundamentals of nursing: human health and function. (6th ed). New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Davis, C. M. (2005). Patient practitioner interaction: an experiential manual for developing the art of health care. (4th ed). SLACK Incorporated. Dossey, B. M. , Keegan, L. & American Holistic Nurses’ Association. (2008). Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice. (5th ed). New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Doyle, D. , Hanks, G. , Cherny, N. I. & Calman, K. (2005). Oxford textbook of palliative medicine. (3rd ed). New York: Oxford University Press.
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