ABSTRACT
Healthcare providers in prehospital care and emergency departments are often at the frontline of medical crises, facing a range of ethical dilemmas, particularly when it comes to patients refusing treatment. This study aimed to delve into the attitudes of these providers toward treatment refusal, unearthing the strategies they employ in navigating such challenging situations while actively working in prehospital emergency health services. Our findings showed that, as the participants' age and experience increased, so did their inclination to respect patient autonomy and avoid persuading them to change their decision about treatment. It was noted that doctors, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians demonstrated a deeper understanding of patients' rights than other medical specialists. However, even with this understanding, the prioritization of patients' rights tended to diminish in life-threatening situations, giving rise to ethical dilemmas. This underlines the complexity of balancing the healthcare professionals' responsibilities and the patients' autonomy, which can generate ethically challenging scenarios for those working in emergency healthcare. By investigating these attitudes and experiences, this study seeks to foster a more profound understanding of the ethical quandaries faced by emergency healthcare providers. Our ultimate aim is to contribute to the development of effective strategies that support both patients and professionals in managing these tough circumstances.
ABSTRACT
The authors hypothesized that an audio-visual presentation providing information regarding the removal of an impacted mandibular third molar would reduce patient anxiety. AIM& OBJECTIVES: A clinical trial was performed to assess the level of patient anxiety during third molar surgery by using a new induction program and comparing the results amongst two groups that were the verbally informed and the audio-visual informed groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the clinical trial included the patients who required surgical removal of an impacted third molar and fulfilled the predetermined criteria. The patients were divided into two groups - group 1 (no. = 20) the audio visual informed group and group 2(no. = 20) the verbally informed group. For both the groups the HR was recorded beat by beat using HR sensor (polar H1 UK) connected to an ActiGraph WGT3X- 3T USA. Also the modified dental analogue scale(MDAS) was used to subjectively record the anxiety during the surgery. RESULTS: The HR reading were statistically significant for the following surgical stages; drilling, suturing and upon leaving the clinic. The audio-visual informed group had lower self-reported anxiety scores than did the verbally informed group. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that providing an audio-visual presentation about the surgical procedures in our routine clinical practice could aid in alleviating anxiety which would thereby reduce surgical complications.
