Competent Patients’ Refusal of Nursing Care: A Focus Group Interview

Abstract

Competent patients’ refusal of nursing care raises important questions, potentially creating stressful
situations for nurses. This study explores the nurses’ roles and challenges in caring for competent
patients’ refusal of nursing care in a rural general hospital in Brunei Darussalam. Twenty-two registered
nurses participated in the research.The data were analysed using thematic analysis.The study indicated
that nurses attempted to respect a competent patient’s refusal of nursing care, as the majority wished to
avoid any paternalistic or judgmental approach towards such refusal. They recognised the ethical and
professional duty to help the patient in their decision making. However, such duty comes with its own
set of challenges.