© 2002 Journal of Medical Ethics
CLINICAL ETHICS
Everyday ethics in an acute psychiatric unit
Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
V J Grant, Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand;
vj.grant{at}auckland.ac.nz
The paper begins with a brief statement about the centrality of autonomy or self governance as a core ethical value in the interaction between health care worker and patient. Then there are three stories describing everyday interactions in an acute psychiatric unit. These are used to help unravel ethical issues relating to patient autonomy. Each story is analysed for its ethical components by describing the protagonists' different perspectives, and their reactions to the events. Attention is also paid to institutional policy. Suggestions are made for small changes in both staff behaviour and institutional procedures. Such changes could enhance rather than diminish patient autonomy.
Keywords: Professional patient relations; acute psychiatry; ethics; patient autonomy; mental disorders
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