Nursing Autonomy Case Study
Position
Jo was aware that Sandy is a transgender woman who did not want to disclose her gender identity publicly. She has violated Sandy’s autonomy, breached her confidentiality and failed to foresee the negative consequences her action could pose for Sandy. Although Jo did not act out of malice towards Sandy, I believe she has acted in an unprofessional manner. She has potentially put herself at risk of a legal liability and disciplinary action by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA).
Analysis of issues
Autonomy
Autonomy is a patient’s ability and right to make his or her own decisions that is in his or her best interest (Johnston, 2016). Respecting patient autonomy is also about gaining consent, maintaining patient confidentiality and respecting their decision about what information they disclosed and withheld (Johnston 2016; Hann, Ivester & Denton, 2017). Autonomy is one of the four key principles in nursing (Johnston, 2016) respecting, which should be a nurses’ priority (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), …show more content…
Disrespecting patient autonomy will in turn violate their dignity, which is their fundamental right (United Nations, 1948). Due to its interrelatedness, violation of her dignity could have negative consequences on her health and wellbeing (Johnstone, 2016). However, transgender individuals are a minority group (Leonard et al., 2012). Due to this, the impact of violation of autonomy and dignity could be severe for Sandy. Disclosure of gender identity and anxiety about potential consequences has been identified as one of the main barriers for transgender individuals to access proper health care (Roberts & Fantz, 2014). Implications of Jo’s action could result in something minor such as Sandy getting angry at Jo to something significant such as Sandy losing her trust in the hospital and staff and forgoing care
Jo was aware that Sandy is a transgender woman who did not want to disclose her gender identity publicly. She has violated Sandy’s autonomy, breached her confidentiality and failed to foresee the negative consequences her action could pose for Sandy. Although Jo did not act out of malice towards Sandy, I believe she has acted in an unprofessional manner. She has potentially put herself at risk of a legal liability and disciplinary action by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA).
Analysis of issues
Autonomy
Autonomy is a patient’s ability and right to make his or her own decisions that is in his or her best interest (Johnston, 2016). Respecting patient autonomy is also about gaining consent, maintaining patient confidentiality and respecting their decision about what information they disclosed and withheld (Johnston 2016; Hann, Ivester & Denton, 2017). Autonomy is one of the four key principles in nursing (Johnston, 2016) respecting, which should be a nurses’ priority (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), …show more content…
Disrespecting patient autonomy will in turn violate their dignity, which is their fundamental right (United Nations, 1948). Due to its interrelatedness, violation of her dignity could have negative consequences on her health and wellbeing (Johnstone, 2016). However, transgender individuals are a minority group (Leonard et al., 2012). Due to this, the impact of violation of autonomy and dignity could be severe for Sandy. Disclosure of gender identity and anxiety about potential consequences has been identified as one of the main barriers for transgender individuals to access proper health care (Roberts & Fantz, 2014). Implications of Jo’s action could result in something minor such as Sandy getting angry at Jo to something significant such as Sandy losing her trust in the hospital and staff and forgoing care