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Relational Autonomy as a Theoretical Lens for Qualitative Health Research
- IJFAB: International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics
- University of Toronto Press
- Volume 13, Number 2, Fall 2020
- pp. 69-92
- Article
- Additional Information
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Abstract:
As scholars integrate empirical approaches to ethical questions in healthcare, relational autonomy theory must inform research design and change practice. Qualitative approaches are well suited to issues where patient values play a central role, and they can be combined with relational autonomy theory to investigate the factors influencing autonomy-rich experiences. This paper draws upon my experience conducting bioethics research related to clinical trial decision-making to develop a systematic method for applying relational autonomy as a theoretical lens to qualitative health research. The resultant practical guide utilizes Susan Sherwin's theory of relational autonomy and presents an empirical method responsive to autonomyrelevant questions.