Türkiye Biyoetik Dergisi (Sep 2020)
Determining the Relationship Between Personal Values and Ethical Sensitivity in Nurses
Abstract
INTRODUCTION[|]Nurses need to have ethical sensitivity in order to understand whether there is an ethical dimension to the events experienced in the care process and to make appropriate decisions at the point where they encounter an ethical problem. Behavior based on ethical principles; It is an extension of personal values that guide attitudes and behaviors. It is important for nurses to recognize their own values in the ethical decision making process. This study was carried out to determine the relationship between ethical sensitivity and personal values of nurses. [¤]METHODS[|]The descriptive and relational research design was used in the study. Ethics committee and institutional permission of the study was obtained. The study collected data from face-to-face questionnaires from 114 nurses working in a University Hospital clinics between July 2018 and March 2019. Ethics committee, institution permission and written consent were obtained. In collecting data; 'Information Form' containing the introductory information of nurses, 'Salford-Scott Nursing Values Scale' and 'Byrd's Ethical Sensitivity Test for Nurses' were used. In addition to descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric tests were used in the analysis of the data, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the scales.[¤]RESULTS[|]The ethical sensitivity of the nurses was determined to be moderate. In the scale of values, it was determined that the nurses obtained scores from the dimensions of intellectual curiosity, self- control, educational achievement, honesty, alturism and religiosity from the highest score to the lowest score, respectively. It was determined that the total score averages of the nursing values scale of those who were trained in ethics and values and the intellectual curiosity, educational achievement, self- control and religiosity dimension scores were significantly higher than those who did not receive education.[¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]In the study, it was seen that the ethical sensitivity of the nurses was at a medium level and there was no relationship between personal values and ethical sensitivity. A nurse who is highly ethical and aware of her personal values can effectively manage the ethical decision making process and increase patient satisfaction and quality of care by providing appropriate patient care. In this context, it is recommended that nursing managers create training programs for ethical sensitivity and values in in-service trainings and strengthen existing programs. It is recommended to conduct qualitative studies on variables that affect the personal values and ethical sensitivity levels of nurses.[¤]
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