Sterke verhalen uit het ziekenhuis. Patiëntparticipatie vanuit zorgethisch perspectief

From the perspective of care ethics, developed by Joan Tronto, we reflect on four attunement patterns identified in stories of hospitalized patients. Presuming that all patients can be approached as autonomous clients does not fit with the variety of patients’ expectations about the role and responsibilities they are able and willing to take. We therefore conclude that many professional caregivers fail in attuning to patients’ expectations regarding the taking up of roles. We argue that good care only works out when professional caregivers are involved in a continuous dialogue with patients about the mutual responsibilities they are able and willing to take. The typology we offered might help care professionals to improve quality of care from a moral point of view.