Teaching ethical sensitivity for psychiatric-mental health nursing practice

10^th Global Nursing & Healthcare conference

August 18-19, 2016 Sao Paulo, Brazil

Kathryn Weaver

University of New Brunswick, Canada

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Ethical sensitivity influences how those in need experience professional psychiatric care and services. For nurses who actively enter into the lives of people experiencing acute or chronic mental health conditions and illnesses, every encounter to help ease psychic pain and suffering requires developing sensitivity to preserve the integrity of clients and other stakeholders. To date, our knowledge of ethical sensitivity is largely inadequate and under-utilized in professional education. The present study thus explores approaches to enhance ethical sensitivity development and resulting professional psychiatric nursing practice. Clinical and classroom strategies to help students recognize and morally respond to the ethical demands of practice were synthesized using research and theoretical literature. These strategies were matched to the various dimensions of ethical sensitivity explicated by analysis of their pragmatic utility. A framework of interventions is then proposed to address the ethical requirements for praxis beyond the technical requirements of the professional discipline. Using this framework, recommendations were made for building student capacity for receptivity and responsiveness, recognizing and processing ethical issues through interactive and transparent practices, identifying uncertainties within established terms of judgment, and developing the courage necessary to take perceived right actions. Progressively, students can learn to foresee the moral consequences of possible actions and to act in ways that preserve the integrity of clients and stakeholders. The findings suggested that the ethical sensitivity is enhanced through mindfully deliberating the salient features of a situation and integrating from multi-linked educational strategies.

Biography :

Kathryn Weaver is working as a Nurse Psychotherapist and Associate Professor in the University of New Brunswick where she teaches mental health, community development, and advanced nursing practice; and healthcare ethics Instructor for Graduate and Medical students, Atlantic Region Training Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland. She completed her PhD from the University of Alberta and Post-doctoral fellowships through the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology and Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. She has published more than 30 papers and is the Principle Investigator of two documentaries, “Through True Eyes: Recovery from Eating Disorders” and “It’s Not about Food!”, produced by Atlantic Mediaworks, Fredericton, NB.

Email: kweaver@unb.ca