Barriers to compliance with principles of nursing ethics and their relationship with caring behaviors: perspectives of intensive care unit nurses in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Elham Feizollahi; Mozhgan Behshid; Reza Shabanluei

doi:10.18502/jmehm.v18i18.20603

Elham Feizollahi Master Science Student of Medical- Surgical Nursing, Medical Philosophy and History Research Center, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran.
Mozhgan Behshid Assistant Professor, Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Reza Shabanluei Associate Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmehm.v18i18.20603

Keywords: Barrier; Ethical principles; Caring behaviors; Nurses; Intensive care unit.

Abstract

This study examined the barriers to complying with nursing ethics principles in adult intensive care units at teaching hospitals affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and their relationship with caring behaviors in 2024. Using a descriptive-analytical design, 300 ICU nurses were surveyed through proportional random sampling. Data were collected via demographic forms, an ethical barriers questionnaire, and the Caring Behaviors Inventory (CBI-42). Results showed that the "individual and caring" domain had the highest ethical barrier score (52.36 ± 9.43), while the "workspace" domain had the lowest (20.56 ± 3.44). Most nurses (75.3%) perceived ethical barriers to be serious. Among the caregiving behaviors, "respect for others" had the highest score (56.93 ± 10.69), and "attention to others' experiences" had the lowest (20.02 ± 3.68). No significant correlation was found between ethical barriers and caregiving behaviors (P = 0.072, r = 0.104). Despite serious ethical challenges, the nurses in this study maintained acceptable standards of care. It is recommended to conduct further research into the specific ethical barriers subscales to better understand their influence on care quality and to develop strategies to improve nurses’ working conditions.