Digital ethical reflection in long-term care: Leaders' expectations

Area of Science:

• Healthcare ethics
• Digital health solutions
• Long-term care management

Background:

• Effective ethics work is crucial for healthcare professionals managing ethical issues, moral distress, and quality care.
• A digital tool for ethical reflection was developed to meet the need for suitable resources in long-term care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore healthcare leaders' expectations regarding the use of a digital tool for ethical reflection among home nursing care staff.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research design utilizing vignettes and focus group interviews.
• Reflexive thematic analysis was employed for data interpretation.
• The study included ten healthcare leaders from municipal long-term care in Norway.

Main Results:

• Leaders expect the digital tool to empower staff by giving them a voice.
• The tool is anticipated to reveal ethical challenges in practice and maintain ongoing ethical dialogue.
• Leaders expressed positive expectations for staff engagement and benefits from the tool.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare leaders are receptive to digital tools for ethics work in home nursing care.
• The study identified both opportunities and prerequisites for successful digital tool implementation.
• Sustained ethics work requires significant organizational and leadership commitment.