Implementing an ethics committee in rural institutions

Ethical conflicts occur in rural as well as in urban healthcare institutions. One means of addressing these complex issues is through interdisciplinary discussions by a bioethics committee. There are, however, social, economic, geographic, and demographic variations unique to both environments that can impact ethical issues, and these must be addressed when such a committee is implemented in either setting. The authors describe the rural variations and the implications for nurse administrators who often assume an active role in planning and organizing bioethics committees.