Dysthanasia, euthanasia, orthotanasia: the perceptions of nurses working in intensive care units and care implications

Authors

  • Chaiane Amorim Biondo Universidade de São Paulo
  • Maria Júlia Paes da Silva Universidade de São Paulo
  • Lígia Maria Dal Secco Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Hospital das Clínicas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000500003

Keywords:

bioethical issues, humanization of assistance, intensive care units, euthanasia, communication

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the perceptions of nurses working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a University Hospital in Brazil concerning dysthanasia, orthotanasia and euthanasia and characterize potential implications of their perceptions for care. This quantitative study was carried out with the application of a questionnaire to 27 nurses after approval from the institution's Ethics Committee and authorization from participants were obtained. None of the nurses were able to explain euthanasia, half of them explained dysthanasia, and only a third explained orthotanasia, 65.39% recognized some of these processes in their daily practice, 25.9% believed nurses cannot provide any contribution even being familiar with these concepts and their applicability, 82.36% believed that knowledge of bioethical principles is relevant but only 14.81% were able to mention these principles. The bases of nurses' professional practice were not homogeneous and knowledge about the subject was limited. Orthotanasia, bioethical principles and the delivery of humanized care should be the foundation of nursing care.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2009-10-01

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 5 (2009)

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Dysthanasia, euthanasia, orthotanasia: the perceptions of nurses working in intensive care units and care implications. (2009). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 17(5), 613-619. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000500003