Berit Taraldsen Valeberg
Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
Title: Nurse anaesthetist students’ experiences of patient dignity in perioperative practice
Biography
Biography: Berit Taraldsen Valeberg
Abstract
Aim: To describe how nurse anaesthetist students experienced patient dignity in perioperative practice.
Design: A hermeneutical design and the critical incident technique were used in order to obtain experiences from practice.
Method: In the autumn of 2015, after participating in a mandatory lecture on ethics, 23 nurse anaesthetist students reported their experiences and interpretation concerning violation and preservation of patients’ dignity in the operating theatre. The text, which was a compilation of descriptions of a 35 incidents, was analysed by using a hermeneutical text interpretation.
Findings: The text revealed three main themes preserving patients’ dignity; allocating time for the patient, inviting the patient to participate, and shielding the patient’s body. Furthermore, three main themes of dignity violation were identified; alienation, backbiting, and invasion of the body’s intimate sphere.
Conclusion: Discussion and reflection based on the personal experience of the students during their practice are ways to strengthen ethical awareness and promote an ethical and dignified caring culture.