An alternative view of self-discharge against medical advice:an opportunity to demonstrate empathy, empowerment, and care

Machin, Laura Louise and Goodwin, Dawn Samantha and Warriner, David (2018) An alternative view of self-discharge against medical advice:an opportunity to demonstrate empathy, empowerment, and care. Qualitative Health Research, 28 (5). pp. 702-710. ISSN 1049-7323

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Abstract

In this article, we present the experiences of discharging against medical advice from the perspectives of 17 hospital and community-based health care practitioners, and 16 patients, and relatives from a range of medical and surgical wards. Semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted and thematically analyzed. We identified that practitioners, patients, and relatives frequently expressed empathy for each other during the interviews, and discharge against medical advice was presented as a way for patients to have control over their health. Contrary to predominantly negative framings that highlight increased mortality and morbidity, and portray people who discharge against medical advice as poor decision makers, we conclude discharge against medical advice can be framed positively. It can be an opportunity to empathize, empower, and care. We recommend that the vocabulary used in hospital discharge against medical advice policies and documents should be updated to reflect a culture of medicine that values patient autonomy, patient centeredness, and shared decision making.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Qualitative Health Research
Additional Information:
The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Qualitative Health Research, 28 (5), 2018, © SAGE Publications Ltd, 2018 by SAGE Publications Ltd at the Qualitative Health Research page : http://journals.sagepub.com/home/qhr on SAGE Journals Online: http://journals.sagepub.com/
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2739
Subjects:
?? CARECOMPASSIONEMPATHYEMPOWERSELF-DISCHARGEQUALITATIVEPUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ??
ID Code:
89479
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
09 Feb 2018 09:10
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
17 Sep 2023 02:11