A phenomenological study of ethical decision-making experiences among senior intensive care nurses and doctors concerning withdrawal of treatment.

Abstract

The study compared and contrasted the experiences of senior doctors and nurses ethical decision making concerning the withdrawal of treatment. Doctors generally took the primary role in ethical decision making, leaving nurses acting as information brokers. Nurses suffered moral distress as a result of the decision to withdraw treatment, whilst doctors suffered moral dissonance. Doctors and nurses needed to come to terms with withdrawal of treatment. A model of communication which will enhance collaborative, multidisciplinary ethical decision making is suggested.