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Azevedo J P
Catholic University Portugal, Portugal
ScientificTracks Abstracts: Psychiatry Ment. Health Res
The issues of autonomy and its immanence for informed consent (IC) are particularly challenging in the therapeutic approach to individuals with Alcohol-Related Problems (ARP). IC is as an ethical imperative of respect for the autonomy that sustains the intention of individuals to adopt therapeutic recommendations that encourage healthy choice. However, IC interfered with suffering generated by restrictive external conditions/situations of excessive deference in relation to others or by anxious and depressive symptoms has still been little studied. The purpose of this study is to verify that IC of the person with ARP interfered with suffering due to coercion, anxiety and depression is a factor both in patient attitudes that reflect non-adherence to therapy and in paternalistic attitude of professionals. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: A study consisting of two lines of investigation was carried out: I) Study of a sample of 150 people with ARP who attended treatment at an alcohol abuse/dependence treatment unit, using the perception of coercion scale, expression of coercion in assistance scale, hospital anxiety and depression scale and expression of autonomy scale; II) study of a sample of 85 health professionals using a questionnaire on ethical attitudes. Findings: Patient's attitudes that express adherence to treatment seem to be influenced by the IC due to experiences of vulnerability related to coercion and anxiety, as well as those related to age and the clinical form and its complexity; paternalistic attitudes arise when efforts to obtain the consent of particularly resistant patients seem to fail, namely in the person with ARP who attends treatment suffering from anxiety and depression. Conclusion & Significance: It is argued that IC, as a place for an ethical process of patient empowerment, is a way to stimulate therapeutic adherence. Recommendations are made to reinforce the ethical practice of IC. Recent publications 1. Azevedo, João Paulo. "Analysis of therapeutic adherence factors in people with alcohol problems." Psychology, Health & Disease 21.3 (2020): 796-809.
Azevedo J P is a clinical psychologist, master in clinical developmental psychology and PhD student of bioethics at the institute of bioethics of the medical school of the Catholic University of Portugal. Psychoanalyst and mental health professional in the public health care network for addictive behaviors and addictions for several years. He currently works at the alcoholology unit in Porto, Portugal, and is a member of the Regional Clinical Council for the area of addictive behaviors and addictions of the North Regional Health Administration.
