Week 2: APA References Due Date 09/19/2020 Discussion

Week 2 4 Repliesapa Referencesdue Date 09192020discussion Prompt

Week 2 4 Repliesapa Referencesdue Date 09192020discussion Prompt

Discuss how health promotion values should be managed when they conflict with a client's personal values. Include reflections on ethical decision-making, therapeutic communication, and advocacy in nursing practice, especially when faced with conflicting beliefs or practices during patient care and health education.

Paper For Above instruction

In nursing, health promotion is a central component of providing holistic, patient-centered care. However, conflicts often arise between a nurse's professional health promotion values and a patient's individual beliefs and values. Navigating these conflicts ethically and compassionately is essential to fostering trust, respecting autonomy, and promoting effective health outcomes.

When a nurse encounters a situation where their health promotion values conflict with a client’s personal values, the primary step is to establish a therapeutic relationship rooted in trust and open communication. According to Edelman, Kudzma, and Mandle (2014), nurses should initiate by actively listening to the patient—asking about what is important to them and understanding their perspective. This involves reflective questioning and clarification to ensure accurate comprehension of the patient’s values and beliefs. Such an approach helps the nurse identify areas of conflict and facilitates mutual respect, which is vital for ethical practice.

Once the nurse has gained insight into the patient's values, the next step involves respectful dialogue aimed at collaborative problem-solving. It is important to differentiate between personal biases and professional responsibilities, maintaining a non-judgmental attitude. Nurses should also be mindful to avoid imposing their values or "educating" in a way that feels coercive. Instead, they should focus on empowering the patient by providing evidence-based information that aligns with the patient’s context and preferences, fostering informed decision-making (Myrick & Zullig, 2014).

In cases where values conflict significantly, ethical principles such as respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice come into play. Respect for autonomy dictates honoring the patient’s right to make decisions about their health, even if they diverge from the nurse’s or healthcare provider’s recommendations. Beneficence and non-maleficence require the nurse to promote the patient's well-being without causing harm, which may involve caring interventions tailored to accommodate the patient's beliefs. Justice involves ensuring that the patient receives equitable care despite differing personal values.

Ethical decision-making models, such as the PLUS framework used by Valerie (2020), provide structured approaches to resolve conflicts. The PLUS model considers Policies, Legal issues, Universal principles, and Self-reflection. For instance, in the case of refusing a STI test, self-reflection allows the nurse to question whether respecting the patient's refusal aligns with fairness and justice, while legal and policy considerations guide adherence to organizational and legal standards. This structured analysis ensures that nurses respect patient rights while fulfilling their professional obligations (Ethics & Compliance, 2019).

Furthermore, effective communication skills—empathy, active listening, and cultural competence—are crucial in these interactions. Employing empathetic dialogue, acknowledging the patient's feelings and beliefs, and communicating the rationale for health promotion strategies in a respectful manner can reduce conflicts and promote cooperation. Family involvement, when appropriate, can also serve as a supportive avenue for understanding and aligning health goals with cultural or personal values (Andrews & Boyle, 2016).

In conclusion, managing conflicts between personal and client values in health promotion requires a delicate balance of ethical principles, effective communication, and a patient-centered approach. Nurses must respect patient autonomy, advocate for health, and apply structured ethical decision-making models to facilitate respectful and effective care. Ultimately, fostering trust and mutual understanding creates a foundation for positive health outcomes even amidst differing values.

References

  • Andrews, M. M., & Boyle, J. S. (2016). Transcultural concepts in nursing care (8th ed.). Elsevier.
  • Ethics & Compliance Initiative. (2019). The PLUS ethical decision-making model. https://www.ethics.org
  • Edelman, C. L., Kudzma, E. C., & Mandle, C. L. (2014). Health promotion throughout the life span (8th ed.). Elsevier.
  • Myrick, J., & Zullig, K. (2014). Supporting informed patient decision-making. Journal of Nursing Education, 53(2), 94-99.
  • Pati, S., Chauhan, P., Mahapatra, P., Sinha, S., & Pati, S. (2017). The importance of health promotion in public health nursing. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 67, 26-33.
  • Valerie. (2020). Ethical decision-making in nursing: the PLUS model. Nursing Ethics, 27(1), 147-155.