Nursing Ethical Concerns in End of Life Care—Using Hermeneutics Approach

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore and delineate the Japanese nurses' ethical values residing in their end-of-life care practice.
Method: Thirty-two nurses with end-of-life care experiences were interviewed. The transcripts from the interviews were analyzed using hermeneutics approach developed by Benner et al.
Findings: Seven ethical concerns were emerged as Japanese nurses' ethical values in end-of-life care: 1) not hurting the patient; 2) honesty; 3) concerns for isolation/loneliness; 4) regard for the patient's personhood; 5) respect for the patient's wishes; 6) comfort/relief from suffering; and 7) meaningful and pleasant time for the patient.
Conclusion: These concerns embody the ethical values among Japanese nurses and are partly different from Western ethical principles in its meanings and reasoning.