Trends and ethical issues in nursing during disasters: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Nursing Ethics
• Disaster Management
• Healthcare Ethics

Background:

• Nurses encounter complex ethical challenges in disaster situations, necessitating a clear understanding of these issues.
• Identifying trends and ethical issues is crucial for enhancing the quality of nursing care during crises.

Approach:

• A systematic review of 15 studies published between 2012 and 2022, encompassing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research.
• Searched multiple databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and ProQuest, using PICO criteria for study selection.
• Assessed study quality using The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal tool and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Key Points:

• Ethical issues in disasters present significant dilemmas for nursing professionals.
• Factors influencing nursing ethics in disasters include decision-making support and specific strategies.
• The review synthesized themes related to ethical dilemmas, influencing factors, coping strategies, and the impact of ethical practice.

Conclusions:

• Ethical nursing practice in disaster settings is shaped by a multitude of factors.
• A proposed framework aims to guide nurses, educators, and policymakers in developing robust ethical decision-making protocols for disaster scenarios.