Opinions and experiences of operating room nurse on ethical sensitivity: a phenomenological study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the opinions and experiences of operating room nurses about ethical sensitivity phemenologically. This phenomenological study, which is in the qualitative research design, was conducted with 14 operating room nurses. Prior to the study, a pilot study was conducted with three nurse families. The interviews were conducted using a face-to-face in-depth semi-structured interview form and the data were analyzed with Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. Interview data were collected between 15 June 2022 and 15 October 2022 in the country. Three categories, seven main themes, and twenty-three sub-themes emerged as a result of the interviews. In the theme of ethical dilemmas experienced by operating room nurses, there are sub-themes of professional ethics, teamwork, and patient dignity and benefit. There are physical and psychological sub-themes in the theme of ethical sensitivity perception and practices of operating room nurses, and among the subthemes, ensuring patient privacy, providing professional competence, providing psychological support to the patient, being friendly and communicating effectively, and respecting the patient’s autonomy come to the fore. Views of operating room nurses on the importance of ethical principles were discussed under the headings of profession and patient. Our results are valuable in that they shed light on the perspectives and experiences of the operating room nurses while maintaining ethical sensitivity. The high ethical sensitivity perceptions of operating room nurses are associated with an increase in the quality of care. It is thought that the high perception of ethical sensitivity of operating room nurses is an important factor that increases the satisfaction of individuals receiving care and the job satisfaction and quality of care of nurses. © The Author(s) 2024.