Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing (중환자간호학회지)

Korean Society of Critical Care Nursing (한국중환자간호학회)
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Comparison of Experiences of Ethical Dilemma between Intensive Care Unit and General Unit Nurses regarding Treatment Decisions and Confidentiality

의료처치 및 환자 비밀유지에 대한 중환자실 간호사와 일반병동 간호사의 윤리적 갈등 경험 비교연구

  • Ko, Chungmee (Department of Nursing Science, Sungshin Women's University) ;
  • Koh, Chin-Kang (College of Nursing, The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University)
  • 고정미 (성신여자대학교 간호학과) ;
  • 고진강 (서울대학교 간호대학, 간호과학연구소)
  • Received : 2018.09.17
  • Accepted : 2018.10.02
  • Published : 2018.10.31
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Abstract

Purpose : This study compares experiences of ethical dilemma between nurses working in intensive care units and those in general units under specific situations of treatment decisions and confidentiality. Method : This cross-sectional descriptive study utilizes the self-report survey method. The survey questionnaires were completed by 50 and 52 nurses working in intensive care units and general units, respectively. The instrument, which consisted of 16 items of ethical dilemma situations about treatment decision and confidentiality, was used. The mean scores for each item were compared between the two groups. Results : The study found no differences in terms of age, gender, education level, clinical experience in years, and being educated on healthcare ethics. For 9 out of 16 items, the mean scores of nurses in intensive care units were significantly higher than those of nurses in general units. Conclusions : Nurses in intensive care units experienced ethical dilemmas regarding treatment decisions and confidentiality more often than those in general units. This study emphasizes the need to establish strategies for improving the ethical competence of critical care nurses.

Keywords

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