Impact of Written Ethics Policy on Euthanasia From the Perspective of Physicians and Nurses: A Multiple Case Study in Hospitals
Autor: | Joke Lemiengre, Chris Gastmans, Paul Schotsmans, Bernadette Dierckx de Casterlé |
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Rok vydání: | 2010 |
Předmět: | |
Zdroj: | AJOB Primary Research. 1:49-60 |
ISSN: | 2150-7724 2150-7716 |
Popis: | Euthanasia decision making is a complex process for physicians and nurses that involves clinical, legal, ethical, and personal–emotional aspects. In this respect, attention has been given to hospitals’ written ethics policies on euthanasia. The aim of our study was to explore the impact of a written ethics policy on euthanasia, as experienced by physicians and nurses involved in euthanasia care processes. A qualitative multiple case study in three selected general hospitals was conducted. Grounded theory methodology was used to guide data collection and analysis. The purposive sample resulted in 23 in-depth interviews with physicians (n = 11) and nurses (n = 12). The euthanasia policy gave the care providers a sense of being supported throughout the euthanasia care process. While care providers mainly feel the influence of a euthanasia policy on practical and professional levels of providing care, the influence of a policy on the providers’ ethical reflection and practice is less clear. The study raises q... |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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