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Volume 11
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Article

The Right to Refuse: Understanding Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Patient Autonomy in Emergency Care

by
Ahmed M. Al-Wathinani
1,*,
Dennis G. Barten
2,
Hind Alsahli
3,
Anfal Alhamid
4,
Waad Alghamdi
5,
Wadha Alqahtani
5,
Raghad Alghamdi
5,
Mohammad Aljuaid
6,
Nawaf A. Albaqami
1 and
Krzysztof Goniewicz
7
1
Department of Emergency Medical Services, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
2
Department of Emergency Medicine, VieCuri Medical Center, 5912 BL Venlo, The Netherlands
3
Pharmaceutical Care Division, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
4
Primary Care Clinic and Emergency Department, Dental University Hospital-KSUMC, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
5
Department of Respiratory Services, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard, Riyadh 1154, Saudi Arabia
6
Department of Health Administration, College of Business Administration, King Saud University, Riyadh 11541, Saudi Arabia
7
Department of Security Studies, Polish Air Force University, 08-521 Dęblin, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Healthcare 2023, 11(12), 1756; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121756
Submission received: 29 April 2023 / Revised: 7 June 2023 / Accepted: 13 June 2023 / Published: 15 June 2023
Versions Notes

Abstract

Healthcare providers in prehospital care and emergency departments are often at the frontline of medical crises, facing a range of ethical dilemmas, particularly when it comes to patients refusing treatment. This study aimed to delve into the attitudes of these providers toward treatment refusal, unearthing the strategies they employ in navigating such challenging situations while actively working in prehospital emergency health services. Our findings showed that, as the participants’ age and experience increased, so did their inclination to respect patient autonomy and avoid persuading them to change their decision about treatment. It was noted that doctors, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians demonstrated a deeper understanding of patients’ rights than other medical specialists. However, even with this understanding, the prioritization of patients’ rights tended to diminish in life-threatening situations, giving rise to ethical dilemmas. This underlines the complexity of balancing the healthcare professionals’ responsibilities and the patients’ autonomy, which can generate ethically challenging scenarios for those working in emergency healthcare. By investigating these attitudes and experiences, this study seeks to foster a more profound understanding of the ethical quandaries faced by emergency healthcare providers. Our ultimate aim is to contribute to the development of effective strategies that support both patients and professionals in managing these tough circumstances.
Keywords: patient autonomy; treatment refusal; emergency care; prehospital care; healthcare providers; ethical dilemmas patient autonomy; treatment refusal; emergency care; prehospital care; healthcare providers; ethical dilemmas

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Al-Wathinani, A.M.; Barten, D.G.; Alsahli, H.; Alhamid, A.; Alghamdi, W.; Alqahtani, W.; Alghamdi, R.; Aljuaid, M.; Albaqami, N.A.; Goniewicz, K. The Right to Refuse: Understanding Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Patient Autonomy in Emergency Care. Healthcare 2023, 11, 1756. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121756

AMA Style

Al-Wathinani AM, Barten DG, Alsahli H, Alhamid A, Alghamdi W, Alqahtani W, Alghamdi R, Aljuaid M, Albaqami NA, Goniewicz K. The Right to Refuse: Understanding Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Patient Autonomy in Emergency Care. Healthcare. 2023; 11(12):1756. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121756

Chicago/Turabian Style

Al-Wathinani, Ahmed M., Dennis G. Barten, Hind Alsahli, Anfal Alhamid, Waad Alghamdi, Wadha Alqahtani, Raghad Alghamdi, Mohammad Aljuaid, Nawaf A. Albaqami, and Krzysztof Goniewicz. 2023. "The Right to Refuse: Understanding Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Patient Autonomy in Emergency Care" Healthcare 11, no. 12: 1756. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121756

APA Style

Al-Wathinani, A. M., Barten, D. G., Alsahli, H., Alhamid, A., Alghamdi, W., Alqahtani, W., Alghamdi, R., Aljuaid, M., Albaqami, N. A., & Goniewicz, K. (2023). The Right to Refuse: Understanding Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Patient Autonomy in Emergency Care. Healthcare, 11(12), 1756. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121756

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