Unmet Needs for Clinical Ethics Support Services in Nurse: Based on focus group interviews. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Sanghee; Seo, Minjeong; Kim, Doo Ree
• Is Part Of: Nursing ethics. Volume 25:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 505
• Page End: 519
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Content analysis -- ethical competency -- focus group -- clinical ethics support; Nursing ethics -- Periodicals; 174.2907305
• DOI: 10.1177/0969733016654312
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-7330

Abstract

Background: As nurses' ethical competence in their own fields is essential, clinical ethics support services help nurses improve ethical competence. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the unmet needs of ethical support for nurses in clinical settings and explore the differences by nursing units. Research design: Focus group interview design was applied. Participants and research context: Data were collected via four rounds of focus group interviews with 37 nurses at intensive care units, medical-surgical units, emergency departments and oncology units. Major questions were as follows: 'What is nurses' experience of ethical difficulties while working as a clinical nurse?' and 'What kinds of clinical ethics support services do nurses require in different clinical settings?' Inductive content analysis was performed to analyse the data. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review of board at the College of Nursing. Findings: Five categories (with 14 subcategories) were identified: difficulty providing evidence-based care, lack of support in maintaining patients' and family members' dignity, insufficient education regarding clinical ethics, loss of professional self-esteem and expectations concerning organizational support. Nurses' desire for ethical support varied according to department. Conclusion: Nurses face both practical and existential ethical issues that require rapid solution each day. There is a need for ethical counselling to prevent compassion fatigue and identify means via which nurses reflect on their daily lives in their own fields. In-house training should be provided for each unit, to improve ethical competence and facilitate the development of pragmatic, sensible solutions.