REVIEW PAPER
Determinants of the rationing of nursing care provided to older patients
1
Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Medical University of Lublin
Corresponding author
Med Og Nauk Zdr. 2023;29(3):150-152
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
According to estimates, one in five senior citizens is not receiving the care they are entitled to. It is suggested that older people are less assertive and therefore unable to effectively express their needs and preferences on the available treatment options. In addition, they are more likely to have higher care needs and unable to perform certain daily activities; they are also at greater risk of communication disorders, depression, or exposure to social isolation, thus preventing them from expressing their needs. The aim of this study is to analyse the literature on the ethical considerations of the rationing of nursing care for older people.
Review methods:
A critical analysis of the literature was applied. The material analysed was the scientific literature available in PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL Complete, and Web of Science databases, using the following key words: nursing rationing, lack of care, older people, ethics.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
The factors contributing to the rationing of nursing care for older people is an inadequate care environment. Another factor contributing to the occurrence of nursing rationing is the discriminatory behaviour of nurses towards weak, older, adult patients in cases in which care is in the terminal phase.
Summary:
Nursing rationing occurs mainly due to organisational factors in the healthcare facility and nurses’ biased approach towards seniors. There is a need for an in- depth analysis of the decision-making process undertaken by nurses, and the ethical elements inherent in such a process.
According to estimates, one in five senior citizens is not receiving the care they are entitled to. It is suggested that older people are less assertive and therefore unable to effectively express their needs and preferences on the available treatment options. In addition, they are more likely to have higher care needs and unable to perform certain daily activities; they are also at greater risk of communication disorders, depression, or exposure to social isolation, thus preventing them from expressing their needs. The aim of this study is to analyse the literature on the ethical considerations of the rationing of nursing care for older people.
Review methods:
A critical analysis of the literature was applied. The material analysed was the scientific literature available in PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL Complete, and Web of Science databases, using the following key words: nursing rationing, lack of care, older people, ethics.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
The factors contributing to the rationing of nursing care for older people is an inadequate care environment. Another factor contributing to the occurrence of nursing rationing is the discriminatory behaviour of nurses towards weak, older, adult patients in cases in which care is in the terminal phase.
Summary:
Nursing rationing occurs mainly due to organisational factors in the healthcare facility and nurses’ biased approach towards seniors. There is a need for an in- depth analysis of the decision-making process undertaken by nurses, and the ethical elements inherent in such a process.
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