Nursing Professional Ethics in Clinical Services:  A Review of Studies in Iran

Samira  Orujlu; Arezoo  Ghavi; Leila  Valizadeh; Vahid  Zamanzadeh; Sadat Seyed Bagher  Maddah; Parvaneh  Aghajari

doi:10.18502/ijme.v18i16.19962

Samira Orujlu Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Arezoo Ghavi Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Ferdows Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ferdows, Iran.
Leila Valizadeh Professor, Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Vahid Zamanzadeh Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Sadat Seyed Bagher Maddah Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Parvaneh Aghajari Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijme.v18i16.19962

Keywords: Professional ethics, Nursing ethics, Nursing services, Iran.

Abstract

Improving the quality of nursing services and enhancing ethical decision-making in clinical settings require greater attention to professional ethics. This study aimed to review and synthesize existing research on professional ethics in nursing in Iran, to organize, plan, and establish knowledge- and evidence-based decision-making, and also provide strategies for ethics-centered nursing in Iran. Iranian studies on ethics were reviewed without time limitations until June 22, 2023. Database search was conducted using keywords including "Nurse", "Nursing", "Ethics", "Professional ethics", "Nursing Care", "Codes of Ethics", "Patient Rights", "Conscience", and "Iran", as well as their Persian equivalents, combined with "AND" or "OR" operators. The included studies were analyzed utilizing the five-stage integrative review method proposed by Whittemore and Knafl. A total of 103 Persian and 59 English articles were reviewed. The results were organized into two main categories: achievements of professional ethics (encompassing knowledge, attitudes, and professional performance of nurses; nurses’ experiences with ethical care; positive outcomes of professional nursing ethics education; and the convergence of spiritual health with adherence to professional ethics and the need for an Islamic approach) and factors influencing ethical performance (including facilitators of ethical performance and barriers to adherence to professional ethics). Based on the findings, it is recommended that nursing care protocols and standards be developed, and various educational programs be conducted, including those on ethical care in emergencies and disasters, emotional and spiritual intelligence, training for clinical nursing managers, and the application of creative strategies for teaching clinical professional ethics.