Development of the Perceptions of Conscience Questionnaire

Abstract

Health care often involves ethically difficult situations that may disquiet the conscience. The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire for identifying various perceptions of conscience within a framework based on the literature and on explorative interviews about perceptions of conscience (Perceptions of Conscience Questionnaire). The questionnaire was tested on a sample of 444 registered nurses, enrolled nurses, nurses' assistants and physicians. The data were analysed using principal component analysis to explore possible dimensions of perceptions of conscience. The results showed six dimensions, found also in theory and empirical health care studies. Conscience was perceived as authority, a warning signal, demanding sensitivity, an asset, a burden and depending on culture. We conclude that the Perceptions of Conscience Questionnaire is valid for assessing some perceptions of conscience relevant to health care providers.

Moral Distress: A Comparative Analysis of Theoretical Understandings and Inter-Related Concepts

“…From a theological perspective, a bad or troubled conscience can be absolved by forgiveness (Saarisalo and Koilo 1973, p. 3964). Recently, the investigation of health care personnel's perceptions of conscience in caring (in for example, Sweden), began with an extensive literature review by Dahlqvist et al (2007). The review revealed that the main theories on conscience were picked up from the work of known philosophers and psychoanalysts.…”

“…In the empirical research regarding stress of conscience, Dahlqvist et al (2007) suggested that the conscience is the ''cornerstone of ethics''. Glasberg's et al (2006) explanation of stress of conscience is similar to that of moral distress and moral stress-for example, they note that ''stress in health care is affected by moral factors.…”

“…The review revealed that the main theories on conscience were picked up from the work of known philosophers and psychoanalysts. In brief, conscience was described as both an asset and inner guide vital to humans but also operates as a hindrance or as something unsound (Dahlqvist 2007).…”

“…Regarding stress of conscience in health care both theological and philosophical perspectives are drawn upon (Dahlqvist et al 2007). For the purpose of this paper, we do not focus on social stress, but rather highlight three perspectives that can be merged into stress-related moral problems and come out as moral distress (Fig.…”

L’autonomie et l’exercice du jugement professionnel chez les travailleuses sociales : substrat d’un corpus bibliographique

“…Il en ressort que, lorsque ces professionnelles sont sommées d'agir en fonction de directives administratives sans lien avec des normes morales jugées respectables, elles peuvent souffrir moralement. En effet, juger qu'en fonction de commandes prescriptives de l'organisationemployeur on peut se conduire de mauvaise manière, de façon a-déontologique envers la clientèle, est susceptible d'engendrer une souffrance et d'avoir de graves répercussions sur le bien-être des professionnelles (Curchod, 2009;Vézina, 2008;Béland, 2009;Lützén, et collab., 2003;Dahlqvist, et collab., 2007;Gustafsson, Norberg et Strandberg, 2008;Meylan, Boillat et Morel, 2009;Nathaniel, 2006;Dahlqvist, Söderberg et Norberg, 2009;Kopala et Burkhart, 20058;Pendry, 2007).…”