Ethical problems and moral sensitivity in physiotherapy

Abstract

This study identified and described ethical problems encountered by physiotherapists in their practice and physiotherapists' moral sensitivity in ethical situations. A questionnaire-based survey was constructed to identify ethical problems, and the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire Revised version was used to measure moral sensitivity. Physiotherapists (n = 116) working in public health services responded to the questionnaire. Based on the results, most of the physiotherapists encounter ethical problems weekly. They concern mainly financial considerations, equality and justice, professionalism, unethical conduct of physiotherapists or other professions and patients' self-determination. The dimension of moral strength was emphasised in physiotherapists' self-evaluations of their moral sensitivity. As a conclusion, ethical problems do occur not only at individual level but also at organisational and society level. Physiotherapists seem to have moral strength for speaking on behalf of the patient. Scarce resources make them feel insufficient but much could still be done to provide quality care in co-operation with other health-care professionals.

Chinese nurses’ perceived barriers and facilitators of ethical sensitivity

“…1,16 Compared with younger and less experienced nurses, older and more experienced nurses had higher ethical sensitivity, possibly because they were more familiar with nursing care. 7,8,25 In line with previous studies, 16,19 we also found significant difference by clinic wards, which may be a surrogate for beliefs and behaviors. For example, surgical nurses were more prone to act in a materialistic manner, which may impede their ethical sensitivity.…”

Strategies for Ethics Education with Health Profession Students Before, During, and After Placements

“…Also use previous student reflections, critical incidents, and ethics research findings to develop authentic case studies. Use empirically based cases (Bushby et al 2015, Flatley, Kenny, and Lincoln 2014, Kulju, Suhonen, and Leino-Kilpi 2013, Praestegaard and Gard 2013.…”

Self-evaluated ethical competence of a practicing physiotherapist: a national study in Finland

“…These concern e.g. incompatibility of available resources and patient's needs [3,9,10], unethical behavior of physiotherapists or other professionals and realization of patients' autonomy [3,10]. Also close physical and emotional relationship between the patient and the physiotherapist creates specific ethical issues [11,12], such as how to maintain a professional proximity in the close and very often continued relationship.…”