Anna Falcó-Pegueroles1, M Teresa Lluch-Canut2, Gemma Martínez-Estalella3, Adelaida Zabalegui-Yarnoz4, Pilar Delgado-Hito5, Gemma Via-Clavero3, Joan Guàrdia-Olmos6. 1. School of Nursing, Consolidated Research Group 2014-326 Advanced Statistical Techniques Applied Psychology, University of Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: annafalco@ub.edu. 2. School of Nursing, Consolidated Research Group 2014-1139 GEIMAC, University of Barcelona, Spain. 3. Hospital Universitari Bellvitge, University of Barcelona l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. 4. Hospital Clínic Universitari, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 5. School of Nursing, University of Barcelona, Spain. 6. Faculty of Psychology, Consolidated Research Group 2014-326 Advanced Statistical Techniques Applied Psychology, Research Institute on Brain, Cognition and Behaviour (IR3C), University of Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To analyse the level of exposure of nurses to ethical conflict and determine the relationship between this exposure, sociodemographic variables and perceptions of the clinical environment. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective and descriptive correlational study conducted at 10 intensive care units in two tertiary hospitals affiliated to the University of Barcelona. Sociodemographic and professional data were recorded from a questionnaire and then the previously validated Ethical Conflict in Nursing Questionnaire-Critical Care Version was administered to obtain data regarding experiences of ethical conflict. RESULTS: Two hundred and three nurses (68.6%) participated in the study, of whom only 11.8% had training in bioethics. Exposure to ethical conflict was moderate with a x¯=182.35 (SD=71.304; [0-389]). The realisation that analgesia is ineffective and the administration of treatment without having participated in the decision-making process were the most frequently reported ethical conflicts. Professionals who perceived their environment as supportive for dealing with ethical conflicts reported lower levels of these events (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ethical conflict is an internal problem but it is strongly influenced by certain variables and environmental conditions. The involvement of nurses in the decision-making processes regarding the care of critically ill patients emerges as a factor that protects against ethical conflicts.
OBJECTIVES: To analyse the level of exposure of nurses to ethical conflict and determine the relationship between this exposure, sociodemographic variables and perceptions of the clinical environment. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective and descriptive correlational study conducted at 10 intensive care units in two tertiary hospitals affiliated to the University of Barcelona. Sociodemographic and professional data were recorded from a questionnaire and then the previously validated Ethical Conflict in Nursing Questionnaire-Critical Care Version was administered to obtain data regarding experiences of ethical conflict. RESULTS: Two hundred and three nurses (68.6%) participated in the study, of whom only 11.8% had training in bioethics. Exposure to ethical conflict was moderate with a x¯=182.35 (SD=71.304; [0-389]). The realisation that analgesia is ineffective and the administration of treatment without having participated in the decision-making process were the most frequently reported ethical conflicts. Professionals who perceived their environment as supportive for dealing with ethical conflicts reported lower levels of these events (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ethical conflict is an internal problem but it is strongly influenced by certain variables and environmental conditions. The involvement of nurses in the decision-making processes regarding the care of critically illpatients emerges as a factor that protects against ethical conflicts.
Authors: Noemi Giannetta; Giulia Villa; Loris Bonetti; Sara Dionisi; Andrea Pozza; Stefano Rolandi; Debora Rosa; Duilio Fiorenzo Manara Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-26 Impact factor: 4.614