This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Norberg, A. Articles by Udén, G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Norberg, A. Articles by Udén, G. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Gender Differences in Moral Reasoning Among Physicians, Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses Engaged in Geriatric and Surgical Care

Umea University, Sweden

G. Udén

University of Lund, Malmö, Sweden

Physicians, registered nurses (RNs) and enrolled nurses (ENs) engaged in geriatric (n = 49) and surgical (n = 59) care at a large hospital in Sweden gave 180 accounts of morally difficult care episodes. In total, the ENs (n = 40) gave 78, the RNs (n = 38) 55 and the physicians (n = 30) 47 accounts; there were 83 from geriatric care and 97 from surgical care. Forty-nine participants were male, and 59 were female; there were no differences in gender in the form and content of the moral reasoning disclosed in either morally difficult care episodes or in the complete interviews when coded as mainly narrative or propositional, or as showing a care or a justice orientation. The ENs showed a care orientation, while RNs and physicians, to an equal degree, showed both a justice and a care orientation. The ENs also used narrative reasoning more often than RNs and physicians. No differences were seen between the two health care specialties.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I Sorta-Bilajac, K Bazdaric, B Brozovic, and G J Agich Croatian physicians' and nurses' experience with ethical issues in clinical practice J. Med. Ethics, June 1, 2008; 34(6): 450 - 455. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Sorlie, A. Kihlgren, and M. Kihlgren Meeting Ethical Challenges in Acute Nursing Care as Narrated by Registered Nurses Nursing Ethics, March 1, 2005; 12(2): 133 - 142. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S A Hurst, S C Hull, G DuVal, and M Danis How physicians face ethical difficulties: a qualitative analysis J. Med. Ethics, January 1, 2005; 31(1): 7 - 14. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Sorlie, A. L. Kihlgren, and M. Kihlgren Meeting Ethical Challenges in Acute Care Work as Narrated by Enrolled Nurses Nursing Ethics, March 1, 2004; 11(2): 179 - 188. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Nordam, V. Sorlie, and R Forde Integrity in the Care of Elderly People, as Narrated by Female Physicians Nursing Ethics, July 1, 2003; 10(4): 388 - 403. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. Elder, J. Price, and G. Williams Differences in Ethical Attitudes Between Registered Nurses and Medical Students Nursing Ethics, March 1, 2003; 10(2): 149 - 164. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. Sorlie, A. Lindseth, G. Uden, and A. Norberg Women Physicians' Narratives About Being in Ethically Difficult Care Situations in Paediatrics Nursing Ethics, January 1, 2000; 7(1): 47 - 62. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Soderberg, F. Gilje, and A. Norberg Transforming Desolation into Consolation: the meaning of being in situations of ethical difficulty in intensive care Nursing Ethics, September 1, 1999; 6(5): 357 - 373. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Lipp An Enquiry into a Combined Approach for Nursing Ethics Nursing Ethics, March 1, 1998; 5(2): 122 - 138. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Melchert, G. Uden, and A. Norberg Retired Registered Nurses' Stories About Being in Ethically Difficult Care Situations Nursing Ethics, March 1, 1997; 4(2): 123 - 134. [Abstract] [PDF]