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Published on: August 25, 2014
Impact of Ethics Education on NICU Nurses' Competence in Ethical Challenges in Neonatal Intensive Care
Zahra Hasani1, Mitra Khoobi, Aliakbar Rasekhi
1Author Affiliations: Nursing Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran (Mrs Hasani and Dr Khoobi) and Biostatistics Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran (Dr Rasekhi).
Background:
Ineffective management of ethical challenges (ECs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) harms decision-making, communication, teamwork, and ethical knowledge. It heightens nurses' stress, reduces competence, and affects care quality. Addressing these challenges is vital for improved outcomes for nurses and patients.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of workshop-based ethics education on the competence of NICU nurses in facing ECs.
Methods:
This quasi-experimental study (2022-2023) used a pretest-posttest 2-group design. 70 nurses were initially recruited from Arash Hospital and Children's Medical Center, but 68 completed it. Nurses were convenience-sampled and randomly assigned to control (n = 33) and intervention (n = 35) groups. Participants completed demographic and Ethical Challenges in NICU Questionnaires at pretest, 1 month, and 2 months post-intervention. The 6-session ethics education workshop spanned 2.5 months. Data were analyzed using SPSS (v. 20).
Results:
The pretest scores showed no significant differences between the control and intervention groups, ensuring comparable baseline levels of ethical competencies. The intervention group's EC questionnaire scores, along with its 4 dimensions, significantly decreased (P < .05), while no significant changes occurred in the control group (P > .05). Posttest scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than the control group's (P < .05), despite no differences at pretest (P > .05).
Implication For Practice And Research:
Workshop-based ethics education positively impacts NICU nurses' competence in addressing ECs. While successful in our hospital, it shows potential for enhancing ethical competencies in other NICU environments or regions.
Video Abstract:
This video abstract explains a summary of the article, its findings, and the importance of applying the findings. If you need faster access, please send a request to my email: m.khoobi@modares.ac.ir.
Power Abstract:
This power abstract explains a summary of the article, its findings, and the importance of applying the findings. If you need faster access, please send a request to my email: m.khoobi@modares.ac.ir.
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