The Perception of Biomedical Ethics in Nurses

Ha, Ju-Young; Kim, Dong-Hee; Hwang, Sun-Kyung

The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education 2009;15(2):216-224.
Published online December 31, 2009.

Ha, Ju-Young;Kim, Dong-Hee;Hwang, Sun-Kyung;

¹College of Nursing, Pusan National University
²College of Nursing, Pusan National University
³College of Nursing, Pusan National University

간호사의 생명의료윤리에 대한 의식

하주영, 김동희, 황선경

¹부산대학교 간호대학
²부산대학교 간호대학
³부산대학교 간호대학

Abstract

Purpose
This study was to describe the perception of biomedical ethics in 210 nurses working at a hospital in Busan. Method: Data were collected from September 1st to 9th, 2008 using a 4-point Likert scale which was designed by Kwon. Results: The average score of perception of biomedical ethics was $2.88{pm}0.22$. The highest score, $3.13{pm}0.35$, was seen in the category of the ethics for right to life, the lowest, $2.49{pm}0.33$, was seen in the category of ethics of death. There was no significant difference in perception of biomedical ethics according to marital status, participation in religious activity or career length. There was a significant difference in reproductive ethics according to marital status (F=3.559, p= .001) and participation in religious activity (F=3.914, p= .011). There was a significant difference in ethics of death according to career length (F=3.779, p= .011). Statistically significant differences were shown in ethics for right to life according to the ethical values (F=4.421, p= .005) and attendance of a conference for biomedical ethics (F=4.133, p= .018). The difference of the perception of biomedical ethics was significant in ethical values (F=3.859, p= .010) and attendance of a conference for biomedical ethics (F=3.783, p= .025). Conclusion: Continuing educational programs need to be developed and more reinforced education should be offered.

Key Words: Biomedical ethics, Nurse