Question

Define the following completely allowing you to differentiate between the terms, use them properly, and recognize the concepts.
•         Autonomy
•         Advance Directives
•         Abuse
•         Beneficence
•         Competency
•         Explicit rationing
•         Futile care
•         Informed consent
•         Living will
•         Restraints

Answer 1

1.Autonomy is defined as the ability to make decisions ourself rather than being influenced by others . It is one of the ethical principles in healthcare in which patient has the right to make decisions itself.

2.Advance Directive is a legal document in which a person specifies what actions or decisions has to be taken for health in future if they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves due to illness and also allocated a person as a surrogate to take the decision . It is also known as living will.

3.Abuse means to use ,treat something for the wrong purpose in a way that is harmful and morally worng . There areany types of abuse like physical abuse ,mental abuse etc .

4.Beneficence is one of the ethical principles . It means doing good for the patient . It is the duty to do and maximize good .

5.Competency is the ability to do something efficiently and successfully.

6.Explicit rationing is defined as the decisions made by the administrative authority about the amounts , types of resources to be made available , the eligible population , and the formation and allocation of rules .

7.Informed consent is given by the patient or in which the patient signs after the details mentioned in the informed consent form are explained by the doctor in a language understood by the patient about the treatment including the possible risks and benefits . Written informed consent is taken from the patient. For minors their gaurdian gives the consent .

8.Living will is a legal document in which a person allocates a person as a surrogate to take the decision in future regarding health and also specifies the actions to be taken in future when he himself is unable to take the decisions due to illness.

9.Restraints are used to restrain a patient to reduce discomfort ,pain and in cases when the patient is restless , to prevent them from injuring themselves and others . Medical restraints are of different types :-

Physical restraints

Chemical restraints