Hidden and Emerging Drama in a Norwegian Critical Care Unit: ethical dilemmas in the context of ambiguity
The study presented in this article is based on field observations over one year on a critical care unit in Norway. Data were analysed according to Glaser’s grounded theory and generated a theory of hidden and emerging drama in the context of ambiguity while the nurses routinized the handling of com...
Autore principale: | |
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Tipo di documento: | Elettronico Articolo |
Lingua: | Inglese |
Verificare la disponibilità: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Pubblicazione: |
Sage
2001
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In: |
Nursing ethics
Anno: 2001, Volume: 8, Fascicolo: 1, Pagine: 57-67 |
Altre parole chiave: | B
ethical dilemmas
B Critical care nursing B Grounded Theory |
Accesso online: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
Riepilogo: | The study presented in this article is based on field observations over one year on a critical care unit in Norway. Data were analysed according to Glaser’s grounded theory and generated a theory of hidden and emerging drama in the context of ambiguity while the nurses routinized the handling of complex technology. To the untrained eye the unit presented a picture of calm competence, while under the surface one finds hidden drama full of difficult interacting clinical and ethical problems. The nurses identified six ethical dilemmas: (1) end of life issues; (2) whether there should be an age limit for coronary surgery; (3) distributing limited resources; (4) resource allocation in terms of better staffing; (5) situations in which is it more harmful than beneficial to continue treatment; and (6) transferring patients to other facilities. The six problems overlap and have clinical as well as ethical components, but it was the ethical dimensions that the nurses identified and discussed. The significance for nursing is the importance of well-educated and well-qualified nurses and how they find viable solutions to complex ethical and clinical problems. |
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ISSN: | 1477-0989 |
Comprende: | Enthalten in: Nursing ethics
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/096973300100800107 |