This book is specifically targeted at nurses, and it is in the context of a nursing perspective that the ethical considerations discussed in it are examined. It is self-evident that an understanding of ethics is essential for any health-care professional, and the very notion of nursing is integrally linked to that of ethical behaviour. First published in 1996, as Ethics in Nursing Practice, this revised and updated edition offers an insight into the ethical dilemmas that face the nurse in the modern world.

This is an excellent philosophical and instructional book which provides a foundational grounding for the practice of ethics in health care for the nursing profession. The topic is of increasing importance and relevance as the nature of nursing evolves and changes with the introduction of new technologies and legislation. The content of the book is designed to contextualize and make explicit many of the ethical considerations which conscientious nurses already implicitly understand. The contributions of the various authors offer comprehensive discussion of, and instruction in, the many ethical dilemmas and issues that are of particular relevance to the nursing profession. Whilst primarily addressed to nurses in South Africa, and deals with the implications of the legislation that exists there, the majority of the book is structured such that its relevance is global.

The book is divided into six sections, each one of which deals with a discrete aspect of ethics in health care. These sections offer perspectives on the following areas: (i) health-care ethics (ii) ethical theory, principles and decision-making (iii) rights and relationships (iv) ethical issues (v) transcultural issues (vi) the application of ethical theory. Furthermore, each section is subdivided into chapters which include a preliminary statement of its learning objectives and concludes with self-test exercises. These exercises allow readers to evaluate the extent to which they have understood and retained the material that has been discussed. Furthermore, they help to eliminate passive reading and force readers to critically engage with the questions that are particularly relevant to them.

The question of cultural integration is steadily becoming more important and this book devotes considerable attention to the ethical issues that arise as the result of living in a multi-cultural environment. For instance, the views on death and illness embodied in different faiths and issues such as religious and spiritual healing are considered. Attention is also given to the importance of incorporating the religious and cultural preferences of patients when drafting a plan of nursing-care.

Nurses require an ethical code in order to be able to effectively deal with the dilemmas that inevitably confront them in clinical situations. This book focuses on the nurse-patient relationship that forms the basis of their professional practice. It helps to illuminate the nature of this relationship and its foundation in the patient’s individual needs. The nature of nursing is one of active interaction, and when the nurse is ethically aware and competent he/she can be more confident that legislation is being adhered to, that best practice is assured and that the diverse needs of patients are being catered for.

This book is a comprehensive introduction to the issue of ethics in health care and would be a valuable resource for any student of the subject. It is clear, concise and accessible. In this second edition, the contents have been expanded to include new case studies on the AIDS pandemic and also considerations of the ethical implications of the legalization of abortion.  The reader does not need philosophical training before approaching it as key terminology and ideas are clearly explained. It also opens up an extensive range of issues for further investigation and research, if the reader is so inclined. However, it is more than just a text-book, the authors display an empathy with the nurses who will read this work and have an understanding of the difficulties that face them on a day-to-day basis. Perhaps this is the reason that it encourages active learning and provides ethical tools which are readily utilizable and will be of benefit to the health-care practitioner. Various ethical perspectives are considered and their benefits to patients are examined. Therefore, nurses are encouraged to deal with each ethically significant situation individually and non-uniformly. The contents of this book should allow them to confidently do so.

© 2007 Richard Corrigan

Richard Corrigan graduated in 2006 from University College Dublin with a PhD in Philosophy. My interest areas include psychology, metaphysics and philosophy of religion.  He has worked as a tutor in UCD and The University of Reading and as an Associate Lecturer with the Open University.

Categories: Ethics