Understanding Aboriginal families' experiences of ethical issues in a paedatric intensive care environment: a relational ethics perspective

• Author / Creator

  Fisher, Katherine

• The PICU environment is fraught with ethical issues, often arising from relationships between families and nursing staff. The research that examines the experience of hospitalization within PICU does not address relational ethics from a cultural perspective. Aboriginal families may experience distinct concerns, such as language barriers, cultural stereotyping, and a lack of communication with nurses. This study explored the perceived relational experiences of Aboriginal families from remote northern communities with nurses in a PICU. A case study was developed from interview data from key Aboriginal informants. Relational ethics served as a conceptual guide, with consideration for the core theoretical elements as they arose in descriptions of Aboriginal families’ interactions with nurses. Informants described Aboriginal families as feeling isolated and disconnected from nurses. A lack of cultural understanding and respect was perceived. The fast-paced, technical environment was described as an influencing factor in the lack of engagement between families and nurses.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Children--Hospitals
  • Medical ethics
  • Parent and child
  • Pediatric emergencies
  • Pediatric intensive care
  • Sick children--Family relationships

• Graduation date

  Fall 2010

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Nursing

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3N315

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.