Emancipation in decision‐making in women's health care

Abstract

The concept model illustrates emancipated decision-making, with its five attributes in relation to oppression as a non-linear phenomenon. Areas for further study include the exploration of the contribution of each critical attribute and its relationship to emancipated decision-making, and the decision-making process in relation to patient satisfaction and how long the person continues to adhere to the decision. Also the professional nursing role in promotion of emancipated decision-making is virtually unexplored, but is an important concept in the paradigm of shared decision-making about health care alternatives.

The Impact of Choice and Control on Women’s Childbirth Experiences

“…Women who had a flexible birth plan felt that they had more room for negotiation during labor and birth. The Wittmann-Price (2004, 2006 model of women's health decision making suggests that women seek personal knowledge about their birth choices and that one of the avenues for this information is the woman's care provider(s). This model also emphasizes the importance of a flexible environment.…”

“…Empowerment that is derived from knowledge promotes autonomy and independence and is also an important aspect of emancipated decision making (Wittmann-Price, 2004). Personal knowledge, social norms, and flexible environment are described as most closely linked to a woman's satisfaction with her decisions ( Wittmann-Price, 2006).…”

“…One conceptualization of women's health decision making is the Wittmann-Price (2004, 2006 model of "emancipated decision making." This model has five dimensions: reflection, empowerment, personal knowledge, social norms, and a flexible environment (Kovach, Becker, & Worley, 2004;Noone, 2002;Wittmann-Price, 2004). Reflection is the process of questioning common practices that are based solely on authority or tradition ( Wittmann-Price, 2004).…”

Informed Decision Making in Maternity Care

“…This relationship between patient and physician prevailed, uninterrupted for centuries. In fact, many argue that the paternalistic model not only still exists, but thrives in today's health-care systems (Arslanian-Engoren, 2002;Cody, 2003;Wittmann-Price, 2004). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognizes the problematic existence of the paternalistic model in current obstetric care as a ''historical imbalance of power in gender relations [that constrains] individual choice posed by complex medical technology, and the intersection of gender bias with race and class bias in the attitudes and actions of individuals and institutions'' (ACOG Committee on Ethics, 2004, p. 13).…”

How Can the Empowerment Role of Public Health Nurses (PHNs) Be Fostered? A Review of an Exploratory Research Study Conducted in Ireland and Current Evidence

“…Paulo Freire popularised this theory in his efforts to liberate. Wittmann-Price (2004) argued that the first step towards creating an emancipatory healthcare environment is by first recognising the existence of oppression and in turn its impact on nursing care delivery. Indeed in critical social theory, nurses may be seen as oppressed (Gilbert 1995, Fulton 1997and Ryles 1999.This needs to be followed by praxis which is a constant interaction between action for change and reflection on action.…”