BACKGROUND: In order to fully understand nurses' ethical decision-making in cases of physical restraint in acute older people care, contextual influences on the process of decision-making should be clarified. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: What is the influence of context on nurses' decision-making process in cases of physical restraint, and what is the impact of context on the prioritizing of ethical values when making a decision on physical restraint? RESEARCH DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study inspired by the Grounded Theory approach was carried out. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: In total, 21 in-depth interviews were carried out with nurses working on acute geriatric wards in Flanders, Belgium. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Leuven. FINDINGS: Relationships with nursing colleagues and the patient's family form an inter-personal network. Nurses also point to the importance of the procedural-legal context as expressed in an institutional ethics policy and procedures, or through legal requirements concerning physical restraint. Furthermore, the architectural structure of a ward, the availability of materials and alternatives for restraint use can be decisive in nurses' decision-making. All interviewed nurses highlighted the unquestionable role of the practical context of care. Context can have a guiding, supportive, or decisive role in decision-making concerning the application of physical restraint. DISCUSSION: The discussion focuses on the role of the inter-personal network of nurses on the process of decision-making. CONCLUSION: An institutional ethics policy and a value-supportive care environment can support nurses in their challenge to take ethically sound decisions.
BACKGROUND: In order to fully understand nurses' ethical decision-making in cases of physical restraint in acute older people care, contextual influences on the process of decision-making should be clarified. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: What is the influence of context on nurses' decision-making process in cases of physical restraint, and what is the impact of context on the prioritizing of ethical values when making a decision on physical restraint? RESEARCH DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study inspired by the Grounded Theory approach was carried out. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: In total, 21 in-depth interviews were carried out with nurses working on acute geriatric wards in Flanders, Belgium. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Leuven. FINDINGS: Relationships with nursing colleagues and the patient's family form an inter-personal network. Nurses also point to the importance of the procedural-legal context as expressed in an institutional ethics policy and procedures, or through legal requirements concerning physical restraint. Furthermore, the architectural structure of a ward, the availability of materials and alternatives for restraint use can be decisive in nurses' decision-making. All interviewed nurses highlighted the unquestionable role of the practical context of care. Context can have a guiding, supportive, or decisive role in decision-making concerning the application of physical restraint. DISCUSSION: The discussion focuses on the role of the inter-personal network of nurses on the process of decision-making. CONCLUSION: An institutional ethics policy and a value-supportive care environment can support nurses in their challenge to take ethically sound decisions.
Authors: María Acevedo-Nuevo; María Teresa González-Gil; María Concepción Martin-Arribas Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-11 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Risto Nikunlaakso; Kirsikka Selander; Elina Weiste; Eveliina Korkiakangas; Maria Paavolainen; Tiina Koivisto; Jaana Laitinen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-29 Impact factor: 4.614