The Right to Decide: Navigating Autonomy and Cultural Blindness in Critical Care (A short commentary)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53685/jshmdc.v7i1.348Keywords:
Patient Autonomy, Relational Autonomy, End-of-Life Care, Surrogate Decision-Making, Cultural Insensitivity, Critical CareAbstract
This commentary article highlights an ethical dilemma in critical care in which patient autonomy was disregarded in favor of family decision-making. It examines the impact of cultural insensitivity on end-of-life care, emphasizes the importance of respecting patients’ choices, and advocates for advance directives and supportive policy frameworks to promote equitable, patient-centred care. The paper concludes that advocating for patient autonomy within culturally sensitive care requires balancing ethical obligations with compassion, fostering shared decision-making, and establishing institutional frameworks that safeguard patients’ voices throughout the care process
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