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dc.contributor.authorTorjuul, Kirsti
dc.contributor.authorNordam, Ann
dc.contributor.authorSørlie, Venke
dc.date.accessioned2015-10-09T02:13:38Z
dc.date.available2015-10-09T02:13:38Z
dc.date.issued2005
dc.identifier.citationBMC Medical Ethics. 2005 Feb 28;6(1):2
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10852/46800
dc.description.abstractBackground The aim of this study was to explore the ethical challenges in surgery from the surgeons' point of view and their experience of being in ethically difficult situations. Methods Five male and five female surgeons at a university hospital in Norway were interviewed as part of a comprehensive investigation into the narratives of nurses and physicians about being in such situations. The transcribed interview texts were subjected to a phenomenological-hermeneutic interpretation. Results No differences in ethical reasoning between male and female surgeons were found. They reasoned in both action and relational ethical perspectives. Surgeons focused on their relationships with patients and colleagues and their moral self in descriptions of the ethical challenges in their work. Dialogue and personal involvement were important in their relationships with patients. The surgeons emphasized the importance of open dialogue, professional recognition, and an inclusive and accepting environment between colleagues. Conclusion The surgeons are personally challenged by the existential realities of human life in their relationships with patients. They realized that ethical challenges are an inherent part of performing surgery and of life itself, and say that they have to learn to "live with" these challenges in a way that is confirmed both socially and by their inner moral self. This means accepting their personal and professional limitations, being uncertain, being fallible, and being humble. Living with the ethical challenges of surgery seems to contribute to the surgeons' confidence and vulnerability in their professional identity.
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsTorjuul et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
dc.rightsAttribution 2.0 Generic
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
dc.titleEthical challenges in surgery as narrated by practicing surgeons
dc.typeJournal article
dc.date.updated2015-10-09T02:13:38Z
dc.creator.authorTorjuul, Kirsti
dc.creator.authorNordam, Ann
dc.creator.authorSørlie, Venke
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6939-6-2
dc.identifier.urnURN:NBN:no-50983
dc.type.documentTidsskriftartikkel
dc.type.peerreviewedPeer reviewed
dc.identifier.fulltextFulltext https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/46800/1/12910_2004_Article_25.pdf
dc.type.versionPublishedVersion
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