Pacient’s perception of his autonomy in Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

The study, a qualitative study based on a descriptive exploratory feature, pursuits to comprehend the perception of autonomy on in-patients at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for Adults. The participants were six critical patients, and the data collection was determined by a script of an open interview with guiding questions, which were transcribed and subjected to a qualitative content analysis without predefined categories. The patients’ perception on autonomy appears to be dissociated from the promotion of health and the predominance of predominant an assistentialist character of the relationship between professional and patients’ circumstances was seen, which removes from the patients the possibility of becoming a subject with the power to determinate about their health.

Keywords: autonomy, ICU, promotion of health.