Ethical concerns: Comparison of values from two cultures

Abstract

The present study was a secondary analysis of data from two phenomenological studies of nurses in the USA and Japan. The study incorporated hermeneutics and feminist methodologies to answer the following questions. Are there common values and ethical concerns and values within the nursing cultures of Japan and the USA? What are some commonalities and differences between Japanese nurses' ethical concerns and those of American nurses? Findings indicated that nurses from the USA and Japan share common values and ethical concerns as professional nurses, including competence, respect for the patient as a person, responsibility, relationship and connection, importance of the family, caring, good death, comfort, truth-telling, understanding the patient/situation, and anticipatory care. Although ethical concerns are similar, related background meanings and actions often look different between cultures; truth-telling is described as an example. Nurses in each country also hold unique values not found in the nursing practice of the other country. Understanding these commonalities and differences is critical for the development of global nursing ethics.

Global Nursing-a literature review in the field of education and practice

“…At the beginning of the millennium, perspectives on nursing education and nursing values in global contexts were topics of concern (Gerrish & Griffith, 2003; Kim, Woith, Otten, & McElmurry, 2006; Swenson, Salmon, Wold, & Sibley, 2005; Wieck, 2003; Wros, Doutrich, & Izumi, 2004). Moving towards the mid‐2010s, global leadership, global competencies and networks have arisen as important questions in the Global Nursing debate (Garner, Metcalfe & Hallyburton, 2009; Harrowing, Mill, Spiers, Kulig, & Kipp, 2010).…”

“…Nurse professionals’ equal opportunities for professional practice, use of competence and collaboration in academic and practice contexts were described as essential in supportive environments (Garner et al., 2008; Gerrish & Griffith, 2003; Harrowing et al., 2010; Wros et al., 2004). Creating a supportive environment for Global Nursing practice and research was described to require an appropriate ethical framework based on the actual context (Harrowing et al., 2010; Weng et al., 2015; Wros et al., 2004). Hence, it was noted that the tendency towards paternalism that may accompany research based on Western ethical traditions could be moderated in a milieu of collaboration (Harrowing et al., 2010).…”

“…However, the power of joint nursing values and ethics was recognized in supportive environments and highlighted by Wros et al. (2004) as in the following citation: “in reviewing the data, it is apparent that nursing values and ethical concerns transcend culture” (p. 134).…”

“…For example, female nurse migration could perpetuate elements of patriarchy (Wros et al., 2004). Accordingly, nurses’ professional power with respect to diagnostic and prognostic disclosure has been negatively affected by hierarchies.…”

A Study of Nurses’ Perception of Professional Values in the University Hospitals Affiliated with Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, 2015

“…At the core of professional values is: honesty and integrity, humanity, respect, sense of responsibility, compassion and sympathy, altruism, self-confidence, and self-improvement Professional culture and education are among the factors that affect nursing values 4 . Attention to the global nursing culture is essential to the improvement of nurses' professional performance 9 .The impartment of professional nursing values is a gradual and longlasting process which begins with the professional education of nurses and extends throughout all the years of a nurse's practice 10 . Studies show that the majority of nurses find it challenging to act based on professional values and moral ideals in clinical environments 11 .…”