Collaborative interdisciplinary bioethical decision making in intensive care units

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Nursing
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Nurses and physicians may hold differing beliefs regarding patient care decision-making processes and involvement.
• Literature indicates nurses are often excluded from or disagree with physicians during ethical decision-making.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is proposed to enhance healthcare decision-making and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perceptions of nurses and physicians regarding their roles in bioethical decision-making.
• To examine the impact of interdisciplinary collaboration on patient care outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on nurses' and physicians' involvement in bioethical decision-making.
• Analysis of research supporting interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare.
• Identification of ethical principles supporting collaborative decision-making.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests differing professional beliefs on decision-making factors and involvement.
• Nurses' frequent disagreement with or exclusion from ethical decisions by physicians is noted.
• Collaboration promotes information sharing, respect for autonomy, and disclosure.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed on interdisciplinary bioethical decision-making.
• Studies should assess professional role perceptions and the effects of collaboration on care outcomes.
• Ethical principles support inclusive, collaborative patient care decision-making involving all stakeholders.