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Ethical sensitivity in practice: finding tacit moral knowing.

Marlies Van Der Zande¹, Andries Baart², Frans Vosman²

¹School of Theology, Tilburg University, the Netherlands.

Journal of Advanced Nursing

|April 23, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study explores ethical sensitivity in healthcare, distinguishing between explicit moral knowledge and tacit moral knowing. Understanding these dimensions through care practices can improve caregiver awareness and quality of care.

Keywords:

ethical sensitivity healthcare professionals nursing qualitative research shadowing tacit knowing

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Area of Science:

Nursing
Ethics
Philosophy of Science

Background:

Recent research overlooks the tacit dimension of ethical knowledge in healthcare.
This study differentiates between explicit moral knowledge and tacit moral knowing within care practices.
Recognizing tacit knowing has significant methodological implications for empirical research in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a conceptual model of ethical sensitivity.
To explore the tacit dimension of ethical knowledge in care practices.
To develop a theoretical framework for discerning tacit moral knowing.

Main Methods:

Literature review of tacit knowledge, practices, and ethical sensitivity (1958-2011).
Utilized data from the phenomenological phase of a multiple-case study (2009).
Emphasized practices as the entry point for studying ethical sensitivity.

Main Results:

Ethical sensitivity can be empirically studied by examining both explicit moral knowledge and tacit moral knowing.
A theoretical framework is proposed to facilitate the discernment of tacit moral knowing.
Inter-professional reflection on ethical concerns can enhance the quality of care.

Conclusions:

A broadened perspective on ethical sensitivity aids in discerning explicit and implicit moral knowledge in care.
Empirical examination of care practices enhances professional caregivers' awareness of their moral knowing.
This approach can improve the quality of care through enhanced ethical discernment.