A Systematic Literature Review of Relational Autonomy in Dialysis Decision Making

Abstract

Abstract Nephrology interdisciplinary guidelines, professional codes of ethics, principle-based ethical standards, and literature promote patient autonomy and self-determination through shared decision making as ethical practice. Healthcare professionals are accountable for practice that is mindful of the impact of cultural diversity and community on the values and beliefs of the patient, an important part of shared decision making (SDM). Despite previous research regarding dialysis decision making, relational autonomy in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease SDM conversations is not well understood. This systematic literature review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework for identifying peer-reviewed literature on SDM for CKD. The findings were summarized into four broad themes: (1) promoting autonomy is a foundation of medical caring; (2) providers have a responsibility to respond to their asymmetrical social power; (3) autonomy is situated within the context of the patient; and (4) dialogue is a tool that negotiates clinical recommendations and patient goals. The caring practices of promoting autonomy with a dialogical resolution of a conflict acknowledging the interdependence of the parties and the patient’s social–relational situatedness support a perspective of relational autonomy in dialysis decision-making practice and research.