Norwegian Nurse Managers' Perceptions of Ethical Conflicts in Community Healthcare When Caring for Older Persons Who Wish to Die

Abstract

The complexity of the healthcare organization with emphasis on efficiency and productivity has led to an increase in value conflicts as well as moral and ethical conflicts. The aim of this study was to explore nurse managers’ perceptions of ethical conflicts when caring for older patients who wish to die. A qualitative method was employed and data were collected by means of a focus group interview with eight nurse managers. The results revealed one theme: A struggle due to responsibility for decision making and four sub-themes: Understanding the meaning of free will, wondering about how serious the Death wish is, providing more worthy elder care and lack of competent healthcare professionals to provide safe care. Nurse managers’ have no structure for bringing ethical conflicts to the attention of their leaders or the next level of the organization. Consequently, they appear to need supervision, support and clear, flexible lines of communication with leadership.