Ethical problems in practice as experienced by Malawian student nurses

Student nurses are confronted by many ethical challenges in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to explore Malawian students’ experiences of ethical problems during their clinical placement. A phenomenological hermeneutic design comprising interviews and qualitative content analysis was used...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Solum, Eva Merethe (Author) ; Maluwa, Veronica Mary (Author) ; Severinsson, Elisabeth (Author)
Format: Electronic Review
Language:English
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Published: Sage 2012
In: Nursing ethics
Year: 2012, Volume: 19, Issue: 1, Pages: 128-138
Further subjects:B Book review
B Ethical problems
B Patient Rights
B Malawi
B Values
B Practice
B student nurse
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:Student nurses are confronted by many ethical challenges in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to explore Malawian students’ experiences of ethical problems during their clinical placement. A phenomenological hermeneutic design comprising interviews and qualitative content analysis was used. Ten students were interviewed. Three main themes emerged: 1) Conflict between patient rights and the guardians’ presence in the hospital; 2) Conflict between violation of professional values and patient rights caused by unethical behaviour; and 3) Conflict between moral awareness and the ideal course of action. The students had difficulties ensuring patient rights and acting in accordance with western norms and values which are not always appropriate in the Malawian context. The students require role models who demonstrate professional attitudes towards patients’ rights and values. There is a need to create pedagogical strategies in which a caring attitude and ethical reflection can be learned and cultivated in clinical practice.
ISSN:1477-0989
Contains:Enthalten in: Nursing ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0969733011412106