Evaluating ethical sensitivity in surgical intensive care nurses

Abstract

Background and aim: Surgical intensive care nurses should have ethical sensitivity allowing them to identify ethical issues in order that they can recognize them and make the right decisions. This descriptive study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the ethical sensitivity of surgical intensive care nurses. Materials and methods: The research was carried out with the participation of 160 nurses in six Turkish hospitals, four state, one university, and one private. The data were collected using the “Nurse Description Form” developed by the researcher and the “Ethical Sensitivity Questionnaire.” The percent, mean, standard deviation, median, minimum and maximum values, significance test for the difference between two means, variance analysis, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis Variance Analysis test were used to evaluate the data. Ethical considerations: Ethical commission permission and the corporate permission of the hospitals were received before conducting the research. Results: It was determined that the ethical sensitivities of surgical intensive care nurses were moderate based on the Ethical Sensitivity Questionnaire total score and subdimension score averages. A statistical difference was determined between the Ethical Sensitivity Questionnaire total score of surgical intensive care nurses and the institution where they worked, the period of working in the occupation, and the period of working in the intensive care unit (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the research, the organization of training and studies devoted to the elimination of ethical sensitivity differences between institutions and workers is suggested.

Nurses’ caring behaviour and its correlation with moral sensitivity

“…Moreover, Iranian nurses reported moderate levels of moral sensitivity. In a similar study in Brazil, the moral sensitivity of 100 nurses was examined using a 28-item 2019) also assessed the moral sensitivity of 160 nurses who worked in surgical intensive care units (ICUs) across six Turkish hospitals.They reported moderate levels of moral sensitivity as well as statistical differences for moral sensitivity according to workplace, years of nursing experience, and duration of working in an ICU (Basar and Cilingir, 2019). Morever, in similar studies conducted with paediatric nurses (Arslan and Calpbinici, 2018), clinical nurses (Aksu and Akyol, 2011) and critical care nurses (Borhani et al, 2017) moral sensitivity was found to be moderate.…”

Sensitivity in ethical decision-making: The experiences of nurse managers

“…21 Basar and Cilingir also believe that the concept of moral sensitivity consists of commitment to ethical principles, determination in achieving moral outcome, and developing a good understanding of situations. 22 Ineichen believes that sensitivity toward ethics and one’s profession is a significant factor in health systems, and he states that the presence of individuals who are aware of ethical values and are assertive in following them in the system has a critical role in improving the function of healthcare systems. In such systems where being committed to ethical principles is a salient criterion, individuals should be more sensitive toward human values.…”

The effect of Covid-19 on ethical sensitivity

“…Studies by Lutzen et al 27 and Buyuk et al 21 reported that people with more experience have higher moral sensitivity in terms of making the right decision in the face of ethical dilemmas. Basar and Cilingir 28 argue that there is a significant difference only in the autonomy sub-dimension of male nurses and that ethical sensitivity is higher in men. They also emphasize that the ethical sensitivity of married nurses is higher than single nurses, that the ethical sensitivity is the highest among nurses working in the surgical intensive care unit for 0-1 year, and that the ethical sensitivity of high school graduate nurses is higher than others.…”