Levels of exposure to ethical conflict in the ICU: Correlation between sociodemographic variables and the clinical environment

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. Prospective and descriptive correlational study conducted at 10 intensive care units in two tertiary hospitals...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Intensive & critical care nursing 2016-04, Vol.33, p.12-20
Main Authors: Falcó-Pegueroles, Anna, Lluch-Canut, Mª Teresa, Martínez-Estalella, Gemma, Zabalegui-Yarnoz, Adelaida, Delgado-Hito, Pilar, Via-Clavero, Gemma, Guàrdia-Olmos, Joan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel
Bioethics
Collaboration
Critical care nursing
Critical Care Nursing - ethics
Decision Making
Ethical conflict
Ethics
Female
Health services
Hospitals
Humans
Intensive care
Intensive Care Units - ethics
Male
Middle Aged
Nurses
Nursing
Nursing care
Nursing ethics
Personal relationships
Prospective Studies
Sociodemographics
Socioeconomic Factors
Spain
Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tertiary Care Centers
Variables
Work environment
Young Adult
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Summary: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. 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. 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). 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.
ISSN:0964-3397
1532-4036
DOI:10.1016/j.iccn.2015.10.004