[Ethical decision models in nursing and medicine]

A literature review on ethical decision making models shows that there is a great number of monodisciplinary ethical models in nursing and in medicine and new ones are constantly being developed. It is, however, to be questioned if by using these models divergent possibilities and consequences arise for practice. To answer this question this article deals with two selected models in ethical decision making. The model by Illhardt (1998) derives from a physician's viewpoint and understanding. The procedure from Tschudin (1996) was developed on the background of nursing. The practical application of these two models in this case study shows common ground as well as differences and interrelated effects on the decision making process. In relation to this case study the development of specific ethical decision making models for nursing is therefore questionable, most of all if an interdisciplinary implementation is the actual aim.