What is it about?
This article proposes a contextualized approach to relational autonomy in end-of-life care. Rather than treating autonomy as an abstract principle, it explores how autonomy actually works in real-life situations, shaped by family, caregivers, emotions, and medical teams. The model helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice in medical ethics.
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Why is it important?
End-of-life decisions are complex and deeply personal. Traditional notions of autonomy can be too individualistic to capture the realities patients face. By showing how autonomy is lived in context, this article provides tools for healthcare professionals to better support patients and families, ensuring that freedom and relationships are respected together.
Perspectives
For me, this article was a step forward from theoretical debate to practical application. I wanted to show that autonomy is not a rigid principle but a lived experience full of nuance. Writing it reinforced my conviction that ethical care at the end of life must combine respect for individual choice with sensitivity to relationships and vulnerability.
Carlos Gomez-Virseda
Associatie KU Leuven
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Relational autonomy in end-of-life care ethics: a contextualized approach to real-life complexities, BMC Medical Ethics, June 2020, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1186/s12910-020-00495-1.
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