A scoping review of alternative methods of delivering ethics education in nursing

We conducted a scoping review of nursing ethics education to examine educational formats that go beyond traditional lectures.

This study was a scoping review.

We used seven databases and relevant search terms, including nursing ethics, morals, values, nursing students and nursing ethics education.

Of 5,190 papers, 14 quasi-experimental studies met the inclusion criteria. All papers examined practices and self-study added to traditional lecture styles (i.e. the control group). Five practices emerged as follows: combined web (i.e. Internet) and lecture, web-based self-study, simulation, group learning and analysing ethical issues. The purpose, method and evaluation method differed based on the country in which the study was conducted. These educational interventions yielded significant differences in knowledge and in nursing students' critical thinking and ethical sensitivity postintervention. Multi-faceted ethics education will lay the foundation for effective practical training and practice.