IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i6p4763-d1090943.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Nurses’ Perceptions of Ethical Conflicts When Caring for Patients with COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Pedro Ángel Caro-Alonso

    (Health Service of Castilla-La Mancha, Integrated Care Management of Talavera de la Reina (Toledo), 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Beatriz Rodríguez-Martín

    (Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avd/Real Fábrica de Sedas s/n, 45660 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Julián Rodríguez-Almagro

    (Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avd/ Camilo José Cela s/n, 13071 Cuidad Real, Spain)

  • Carlos Chimpén-López

    (Department of Medical-Surgical Therapy, Psychiatry Area, Faculty of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain)

  • Cristina Romero-Blanco

    (Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avd/ Camilo José Cela s/n, 13071 Cuidad Real, Spain)

  • Ignacio Casado Naranjo

    (Neurology Department, Universtity Hospital of Cáceres, 10003 Caceres, Spain)

  • Antonio Hernández-Martínez

    (Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avd/ Camilo José Cela s/n, 13071 Cuidad Real, Spain)

  • Fidel López-Espuela

    (Metabolic Bone Diseases Research Group, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused ethical challenges and dilemmas in care decisions colliding with nurses’ ethical values. This study sought to understand the perceptions and ethical conflicts faced by nurses working on the frontline during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and the main coping strategies. A qualitative phenomenological study was carried out following Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews until data saturation. The theoretical sample included 14 nurses from inpatient and intensive care units during the first and second waves of the pandemic. An interview script was used to guide the interviews. Data were analyzed following Giorgi’s phenomenological method using Atlas-Ti software. Two themes were identified: (1) ethical conflicts on a personal and professional level; and (2) coping strategies (active and autonomous learning, peer support and teamwork, catharsis, focusing on care, accepting the pandemic as just another work situation, forgetting the bad situations, valuing the positive reinforcement, and humanizing the situation). The strong professional commitment, teamwork, humanization of care, and continuous education have helped nurses to deal with ethical conflicts. It is necessary to address ethical conflicts and provide psychological and emotional support for nurses who have experienced personal and professional ethical conflicts during COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Ángel Caro-Alonso & Beatriz Rodríguez-Martín & Julián Rodríguez-Almagro & Carlos Chimpén-López & Cristina Romero-Blanco & Ignacio Casado Naranjo & Antonio Hernández-Martínez & Fidel López-Espuel, 2023. "Nurses’ Perceptions of Ethical Conflicts When Caring for Patients with COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:4763-:d:1090943
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/6/4763/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/6/4763/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benjamin Saunders & Julius Sim & Tom Kingstone & Shula Baker & Jackie Waterfield & Bernadette Bartlam & Heather Burroughs & Clare Jinks, 2018. "Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(4), pages 1893-1907, July.
    2. Jonathan Jubin & Philippe Delmas & Ingrid Gilles & Annie Oulevey Bachmann & Claudia Ortoleva Bucher, 2022. "Protective Factors and Coping Styles Associated with Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of Hospital or Care Institution and Private Practice Nurses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Priya-Lena Riedel & Alexander Kreh & Vanessa Kulcar & Angela Lieber & Barbara Juen, 2022. "A Scoping Review of Moral Stressors, Moral Distress and Moral Injury in Healthcare Workers during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-20, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jennifer Tartaglia & Michelle McIntosh & Jonine Jancey & Jane Scott & Andrea Begley, 2021. "Exploring Feeding Practices and Food Literacy in Parents with Young Children from Disadvantaged Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Najwa Taghy & Linda Cambon & Caroline Boulliat & Olivier Aromatario & Claude Dussart, 2021. "Exploring the Determinants of Polypharmacy Prescribing and Dispensing Behaviours in Primary Care for the Elderly—Protocol for a Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-10, July.
    3. Van Droogenbroeck, Ellen & Van Hove, Leo, 2020. "Intra-household task allocation in online grocery shopping: Together alone," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    4. Thuy Séran & Anne-Sophie Fernandez & Hervé Chappert, 2024. "Managing coopetition in multi-unit organizations: a management-control perspective," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 18(10), pages 2889-2924, October.
    5. Şahika Simsek-Cetinkaya & Simge Evrenol Ocal, 2023. "“Psychological Injuries Are Not Visible†: Experiences and Perceptions of Midwives and Nurses about Domestic Violence during Pregnancy," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 32(8), pages 1115-1123, November.
    6. Najwa Taghy & Viviane Ramel & Ana Rivadeneyra & Florence Carrouel & Linda Cambon & Claude Dussart, 2023. "Exploring the Determinants of Polypharmacy Prescribing and Dispensing Behaviors in Primary Care for the Elderly—Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-17, January.
    7. Xudan Lin & Hong Zhu & Duo Yin, 2022. "Enhancing Rural Resilience in a Tea Town of China: Exploring Tea Farmers’ Knowledge Production for Tea Planting, Tea Processing and Tea Tasting," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
    8. Silvia Scaramuzzi & Sara Gabellini & Giovanni Belletti & Andrea Marescotti, 2021. "Agrobiodiversity-Oriented Food Systems between Public Policies and Private Action: A Socio-Ecological Model for Sustainable Territorial Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-32, November.
    9. Asiimire Donath & Medard Twinamatsiko & Johnson Atwiine & Dr. Nuwatuhaire Benard, 2024. "Women Productive Resource Ownership and their Contribution to the Changing Family Patterns in Ankole Sub-Region, Uganda," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 11(5), pages 844-855, May.
    10. Tongyu Meng & Jamie Newth & Christine Woods, 2022. "Ethical Sensemaking in Impact Investing: Reasons and Motives in the Chinese Renewable Energy Sector," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 179(4), pages 1091-1117, September.
    11. Annette Peart & Virginia Lewis & Chris Barton & Grant Russell, 2020. "Healthcare professionals providing care coordination to people living with multimorbidity: An interpretative phenomenological analysis," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(13-14), pages 2317-2328, July.
    12. Soo-Yong Shin & Eun-Ju Lim, 2021. "Clinical Work and Life of Mid-Career Male Nurses: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-10, June.
    13. Fatoumata Fofana & Pat Bazeley & Antoine Regnault, 2020. "Applying a mixed methods design to test saturation for qualitative data in health outcomes research," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(6), pages 1-12, June.
    14. Alasdair Jones & Susan Parham, 2023. "Living in an Age-Friendly Community: Evidence from a Masterplanned Development in Southwest Sydney," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-21, January.
    15. Diego M. Coraiola & Robbin Derry, 2020. "Remembering to Forget: The Historic Irresponsibility of U.S. Big Tobacco," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 166(2), pages 233-252, October.
    16. Nuchjarin Intalar & Yasushi Ueki & Chawalit Jeenanunta, 2024. "Enhancing Competitiveness: Driving and Facilitating Factors for Industry 4.0 Adoption in Thai Manufacturing," Economies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-23, August.
    17. Rajshri Roy & Alshaima Alsaie & Jessica Malloy & Joya A. Kemper, 2024. "Sustainable Culinary Skills: Fostering Vegetable-Centric Cooking Practices among Young Adults for Health and Environmental Benefits—A Qualitative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-22, January.
    18. Thomas Dax & Oliver Tamme, 2023. "Attractive Landscape Features as Drivers for Sustainable Mountain Tourism Experiences," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-16, June.
    19. Daniela Lemmo & Roberta Vitale & Carmela Girardi & Roberta Salsano & Ersilia Auriemma, 2022. "Moral Distress Events and Emotional Trajectories in Nursing Narratives during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-12, July.
    20. Childress, Saltanat & Roberts, Alison & LaBrenz, Catherine A. & Findley, Erin & Ekueku, Modesty & Baiden, Philip, 2023. "Exploring the lived experiences of women with children during COVID-19: Maternal stress and coping mechanisms," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:4763-:d:1090943. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.