Effect of Ethics Seminar on Moral Sensitivity and Ethical Behavior of Clinical Nurses

• Main Authors: Chunbok Lee, Sunman Kim, Kwisoon Choe, Sunghee Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: ethics seminar; moral sensitivity; unethical behavior; nurse
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/1/241
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

While nursing is an ethical profession, unethical behavior among nurses is increasing worldwide. This study examined the effects of an ethics seminar on nurses’ moral sensitivity and ethical behavior. A total of 35 nurses (17 experimental, 18 control) were recruited. The ethics seminar was held over a six-month period from May to October 2018 and comprised six sessions held once a month for two hours. Moral sensitivity and unethical behavior were measured at the start and end of the seminar. Moral sensitivity and unethical behavior showed a negative correlation (<i>r</i> = −0.400, <i>p</i> < 0.05). After the ethics seminar, the experimental group’s moral sensitivity was not significantly increased (<i>t</i> = −1.039, <i>p</i> = 0.314). The experimental group’s mean scores of unethical behavior at pre- and posttest were 12.59 and 9.47, respectively, indicating a statistically significant difference (<i>t</i> = 3.363, <i>p</i> = 0.004). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean score in both moral sensitivity and unethical behavior at pre- and posttest in the control group. Thus, ethics seminars can reduce the risk of unethical behavior among nurses. Regular ethics seminars and training must be provided to nurses as part of their curriculum/practice.