Ethical Dilemmas of Nurses on Patient Autonomy in End-Of-Life Care in A Selected Tertiary Hospital in Nanyang City, China

Abstract

This study examines the ethical dilemmas faced by nurses concerning patient autonomy in end-of-life care at a tertiary hospital in Nanyang City, China. The research focuses on how nurses navigate complex decisions involving autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and cultural and religious beliefs. Using a quantitative comparative design, data were collected from 250 nurse respondents through a researcher-made questionnaire. Results indicate that nurses frequently encounter ethical conflicts, particularly when legal and institutional policies clash with patient autonomy, and when family expectations conflict with patient wishes. The study underscores the need for ongoing ethics education and support for nurses to enhance ethical decision-making and patient care. It is recommended to implement specialized training programs, develop communication and mediation skills, advocate for supportive policies, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration to effectively address these ethical challenges.