RT Article
T1 Developing organisational ethics in palliative care: A three-level approach
JF Nursing ethics
VO 24
IS 2
SP 138
OP 150
A1 Sandman, Lars
A1 Molander, Ulla
A1 Benkel, Inger
A2 Molander, Ulla
A2 Benkel, Inger
LA English
YR 2017
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1779454791
AB Background:Palliative carers constantly face ethical problems. There is lack of organised support for the carers to handle these ethical problems in a consistent way. Within organisational ethics, we find models for moral deliberation and for developing organisational culture; however, they are not combined in a structured way to support carers’ everyday work.Research objective:The aim of this study was to describe ethical problems faced by palliative carers and develop an adapted organisational set of values to support the handling of these problems.Research design:Ethical problems were mapped out using focus groups and content analysis. The organisational culture were developed using normative analysis and focus group methodology within a participatory action research approach.Main participants and research context:A total of 15 registered nurses and 10 assistant nurses at a palliative unit (with 19 patient beds) at a major University Hospital in Sweden.Ethical considerations:The study followed standard ethics guidelines concerning informed consent and confidentiality.Findings:We found six categories of ethical problems (with the main focus on problems relating to the patient’s loved ones) and five categories of organisational obstacles. Based on these findings, we developed a set of values in three levels: a general level, an explanatory level and a level of action strategies.Discussion:The ethical problems found corresponded to problems in other studies with a notable exception, the large focus on patient loved ones. The three-level set of values is a way to handle risks of formulating abstract values not providing guidance in concrete care voiced in other studies.Conclusion:Developing a three-level set of values adapted to the specific ethical problems in a concrete care setting is a first step towards a better handling of ethical problems.
K1 Palliative Care
K1 organisational ethics
K1 Organisational Culture
K1 Moral Deliberation
K1 Ethical problems
DO 10.1177/0969733015595542