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Showing 18 results for Farid

Fatemeh Makkizadeh, Farideh Ossareh,
Volume 4, Issue 5 (10-2011)
Abstract

Medical Ethics is a branch of science that has received attention due to developments in medical treatments and technology as well as complex social transformations and involvement of social sciences, law and so on in medicine. The present paper attempted to perform an analysis and historiography of scientific publications in the field of medical ethics and their growth and development rate between the years 1990 and 2008. This study used scientometrics to examine scientific publications in the field of medical ethics between 1990 and 2008 in three bibliographic databases: The Arts & Humanities Citation Index (A&HCI), the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), and the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). An evaluation of the nature of the documents showed that 5690 bibliographic items had been presented in fifteen different formats. The documents had all been published in 1289 journals by 3634 universities or higher education institutions, with the Harvard University in the lead. 10326 authors had composed articles during this period and made reference to a total of 109301 sources. The Journal of Medical Ethics had published the majority of works in the field. One major topic in this field is “medical ethics education and its necessity”, as medical policies and regulations are constantly changing in order to ensure patients’ rights. Consequently, a need is clearly felt for teaching medical ethics in order to offer medical care in an ethical and human manner, and to make difficult decisions concerning new technologies.
Hossein Jabbari Beirami, Fariba Bakhshiyan, Gholamreza Bateni, Mohammad Ali Mohjal Shojaae, Faridoon Abbasnejad, Majid Khalili,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (4-2012)
Abstract

In the middle age (500–1500), while European countries were struggling with frightening epidemics such as plague, smallpox, tuberculoses, leprosy, and their medical treatments were based on superstitions and fanaticism, scientists such as Avicenna and Rhazes laid the foundation of the golden period in medicine. In the late periods of golden centuries, during the Mogul invasion of Iran, Rashidaddin Fazlollah Hamadani devoted a great deal of effort to preserve the knowledge by foundation of the knowledge city of Rabé Rashidi and Daralshafa (Medical and Health Service College) in Tabriz. Rashidaddin established a successful health management system which was accordance with the current modern health management systems. The objective of this review is to present a clear perspective of a successful Iranian Islamic model of health delivery system 700 years ago. The review was conducted in the form of descriptive bases of original documents with a systemic approach. Findings show a successful management experience in health system in terms of stewardship, resource allocation, provision of health services and financing which appears to be in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration in 2000. Promotion of team working, employment of fulltime and part-time physicians, implementation of a fair and functional economic structure, health economic, sustainable financial mechanisms, public insurance, home care provision, and isolation of communicable diseases in hospitals can be considered as examples of a successful Iranian Islamic health management system. It can be concluded that as Iranian health management system is faced with many different challenges, gleaning lessons from successful national historical experiences can play a key role in the establishment of a competent system based on our Islamic and national values and in accordance with modern scientific achievements.
Farideh Bahrani, Mitra Farzin, Leila Nozari,
Volume 5, Issue 6 (25 2012)
Abstract

Considering the professional position of physicians, ethics is of great significance in medical society and being among medical sciences, dentistry is not an exception. This research evaluates the Shiraz dentists' knowledge of professional ethics especially in regard to patients' rights, which is recommended by American Dentists Association. This research is of descriptive/observational and cross-sectional type. The society studied in this research included all dentists in Shiraz who owned an office, out of which 97 individuals were selected through simple random sampling. To collect the data, a 20-question questionnaire was used. The reliability and validity of this questionnaire was approved, and collected data was analyzed by SPSS software. ANOVA test was used as a method of gaining correlation of age and knowledge, and T-test was used to gain correlation of gender and knowledge. Results revealed that the score of dentists' knowledge was 61%, which is equal to 11 out of 18 scores. There was no relationship between knowledge and age (P=0.67) or gender (P=0.68). Dentists must be aware of patients' rights, and reviewing ethical education in the faculty of dentistry is essential, and reaching this goal requires public participation and proper planning for training on this issue in Iran.
Forozan Atashzadeh Shorideh, Tahereh Ashktorab, Farideh Yaghmaei, Hamid Alavimajd,
Volume 5, Issue 7 (29 2013)
Abstract

Moral distress is one of ICU nurses' major problems that can happen due to various reasons and may have several consequences. Considering that certain variables can be related to moral distress and turnover intention in nurses, this study was done to determine the correlation between ICU nurses' demographic characteristics and their moral distress and turnover. In this correlational study, 159 ICU nurses were selected from medical universities of Iran. Data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire, ICU nurses' moral distress scale, and Hinshaw and Atwood's turnover scale. Data analysis was done by using SPSS 17. The findings showed high level of moral distress and turnover in ICU nurses. The results revealed a positive statistical correlation among ICU nurses' age, their work experience, the ratio of nurses to ICU beds and their moral distress. However, there was no correlation among sex, marital status, educational degree, work shift and moral distress. Similarly, moral distress and intent to turnover did not have a statistical correlation.The results showed that increasing recruitment of young nurses and nursing staff, and diminishing ICU nurses' moral distress and turnover intention are essential.


Hossein Bagheri, Faride Yaghmaei, Tahere Ashktorab, Farid Zayeri,
Volume 6, Issue 6 (2-2014)
Abstract

Heart failure not only affacts the patients but also their families and social networks. This study was conducted to evaluate the development & psychometric properties of the Social Dignity Questionnaire (SDQ) in heart failure patients. This study is an exploratory research of questionnaire design type. Twenty two patients with class II to IV heart failure (New York Heart Association Functional Classification) were chosen through purposive sampling from selected hospitals of Tehran, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with them. Qualitative content analysis was performed to analyze the interviews. The primary items were developed based on the findings obtained from the interviews, literature and designed questionnaires about social dignity. Content validity and construct validity were determined in 130 patients with heart failure. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 19. Through face validity and content validity analysis, 16 out of 101 primary items were removed. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, 2 items with factor loading less than 0.5 were deleted, and 6 were removed due to inclusion in other factors. The following five factors were extracted: family communication and support, social communication and support, health care communication and support, burden to others (physical, emotional and social), and burden to others (economic). Reliability of the Social Dignity Questionnaire (SDQ) was calculated to be 0.97 by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and 0.99 by using split-half method.Considering the acceptable validity and reliability of the questionnaire in the present study, its application can be useful in planning support for patients and improving their treatment and care. The questionnaire may also be helpful in conducting further research related to dignity in different patients
Hossein Bagheri, Faride Yaghmaei, Tahere Ashktorab, Farid Zayeri,
Volume 6, Issue 6 (2-2014)
Abstract

Respect for the inherent dignity of human beings means respecting their basic rights in different environments, and this has an important role in studies and discussions about health care. This study was conducted on the development and psychometric properties of the Inherent Dignity Questionnaire (IDQ) in heart failure patients. The present study is a methodological research for designing a questionnaire. First, 22 patients with class II to IV heart failure were chosen by purposive sampling from patients of Hazrate Rasoule Akram, Imam Hossein and Shariati hospitals of Tehran, and semi-structured interviews were conducted on ethical issues until data saturation was achieved. A qualitative content analysis was carried out to analyze the interviews. Then, based on the findings obtained from the interviews, literature, and the designed questionnaires about inherent dignity, 39 items associated with inherent dignity in heart failure patients were developed. The face validity of the questionnaire was determined. To measure the content validity of the questionnaire, opinions of 12 experts were used considering Content Validity Index (CVI), Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Lawshe table. To assess construct validity of the IDQ, exploratory factor analysis and to determine the reliability of the questionnaire, internal consistency with Chronbach’s alpha coefficient and split-half method were used on 130 patients with heart failure. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 19.Through face validity and content validity analysis, 4 out of the 39 primary items were removed, leaving 35 items. Through exploratory factor analysis, 11 items with factor loading less than 0.5 were removed and the IDQ was created with 24 items and three factors (9 items on the first factor, 8 items on the second factor and 7 items on third factor). These factors were: "inherent dignity in family", "inherent dignity in the community" and "inherent dignity in health care environments". Reliability of the Social Dignity Questionnaire (SDQ) was calculated to be 0.94 by using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and 0.96 by using split-half method.Results of this study showed that the IDQ is adequately valid and reliable. Therefore, using this questionnaire can be beneficial to planning support for patients and improving their treatment and care and doing further research related to dignity in different patients.
Elham Fazljoo, Fariba Borhani, Abbas Abbaszadeh, Farideh Razban,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (7-2014)
Abstract

Considering the advances in today's world, the increased complexity of diseases and longer life expectancy, nurses experience a great deal of moral distress. One factor that is likely to contribute to the development of moral distress is the ethical climate prevailing in hospitals. This study aimed to assess the relationship between nurses' perceptions of moral distress and the ethical climate in Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd. This correlational descriptive study used the Moral Distress Scale (MDS) and Hospital Ethical Climate Survey (HECS) to examine 370 nurses working in a number of hospitals including Shahid Sadooghi, Shahid Rahnemun, Shahid Afshar and Savaneh Sukhteghi. Data analysis was performed using SPSS18 and descriptive and analytical statistics. Findings showed that the intensity of perceived moral distress among nurses was 3.41±1.28, and their perceptions of the ethical climate were 3.22±0.78. There was a significant negative relationship between nurses’ perception of moral distress and the ethical climate (P=0.00). The findings of this study suggest that development of plans to improve the ethical climate prevailing in hospitals might decreases nurses’ perceived moral distress.
Bagher Larijani, Mina Mobasher, Samaneh Tirgar, Farzaneh Zahedi, Soodeh Tirgar, Farideh Shariati, Banafsheh Karimi, Fatemeh Mirzaei (lotfi Azar),
Volume 7, Issue 5 (1-2015)
Abstract

It is universally acknowledged that death is a complex concept and different factors such as complicated philosophical ideas, contradictory descriptive approaches, and diversity in interpretations add to this complexity. Although a thorough understanding of the notion of death is important for everyone, this concept is of crucial importance to health care providers as they face enormous ethical challenges in the course of their careers. A few instances are controversial issues such as brain death, euthanasia and end-of-life care, where it seems essential to define a set of robust criteria for death. On the other hand, it can be argued that death is not a scientific concept and only different branches of medicine can provide a framework to clarify the subject of death. Therefore, it could be argued that theological approaches may shed some light on this concept. In this article, we aim to extract ontologic components of death mentioned in the Holy Quran, and will move on to propose a set of 12 criteria for death. This may help provide a clear understanding of the concept from the point of view of the Holy Quran, although more research is warranted to further illuminate this complex subject.
Fatemeh Mirzaei (lotfi Azar), Samaneh Tirgar, Farzaneh Zahedi, Soodeh Tirgar, Farideh Shariati, Bagher Larijani,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (10-2016)
Abstract

Despite all recent advancements in medical sciences and the related technologies, the concept of death still remains obscure. It can be asserted that as death includes both physical and spiritual dimensions, medicine alone is not capable of fully illuminating its different features. Therefore, inter-disciplinary collaboration between different branches of science such as Quranic studies, humanities, and philosophy seems necessary in order to shed some light on this hitherto undiscovered subject. Through description of what the soul experiences before and during death, such collaborations may even enrich the knowledge and broaden the minds of physicians who are capable of the analysis of physical changes caused by death. This insight can promote the ethical decision-making process as well as the provision of end-of-life care and spiritual support in different stages of death. The current research, as a library literature review, endeavors to provide a descriptive view of death from a medical perspective, and then, a Quranic depiction of its different stages through an analysis of verses and quotations from the holy Quran and Islamic scriptures whose primary focus is the process of dying. The final discussion section presents some similarities and differences observed between viewpoints and raises questions which can be considered as being of great practical importance in terms of provision of necessary end-of-life spiritual support. We hope that further research in this field can better clarify the issues raised in this article so that practical measures aiming at the provision of Quran-based spiritual end-of-life care are designed and implemented.


Afrooz Hosein, Farideh Elahimanesh, Nammam Ali Azadi,
Volume 11, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract

Patients’ satisfaction of treatment centers is one of the most important indicators for the quality of care and treatment services. Taking care of patients’ satisfaction has essential role in managing programs of health services. The aim of study was to evaluate patients' satisfaction with the quality of services provided in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Qorveh in 2015. The research method was cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic. The statistical population of the study consisted of 384 patients selected in one stage cluster sampling from different parts of hospital. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by means of questionnaire that its validity and reliability was confirmed. Information was analyzed by statistical software SPSS 20 and t-test. The results showed that most of satisfaction was related to the emergency department and the lowest levels of satisfaction was related to ICU. Overall satisfaction from health services of Shahid Beheshti hospital was 72%. In this study, the satisfaction and habitat of patient had meaningful relationship, but other factors had not significant relationship with patient statisfaction. In recent years, patient satisfaction had an acceptable level due to dramatic improvements in health system. Nevertheless, the problems and weaknesses in the health care field also should be concerned and resolved and we have to improve the quality of services.
 

Maasoumeh Barkhordari-Sharifabad, Seyedeh-Zahra Kaka-Tafti, Parnia Bastani, Farideh Mahmoudi-Hashemi,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract

Health care providers need moral sensitivity to provide effective ethical care Since spirituality is an integral part of morality, and spiritual intelligence is the basis of an individual's beliefs that affect his performance, this study was conducted to determine the role of spiritual intelligence in moral sensitivity of nursing students. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted in 2021. The target population was nursing students studying in the first semester of 2021-2022 in Yazd, of which 153 people were selected by simple random sampling. In order to data gathering, questionnaire of King's spiritual intelligence and Lutzen's moral sensitivity was used. The validity and reliability of the instruments have been determined in previous research. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation, frequency distribution) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation test and T test) by SPSS software version 16. Results indicated the mean of moral sensitivity (64.24 ±10.46) and the mean of spiritual intelligence of nursing students (53.90 ±34.13) were moderate. There was no statistically significant relationship between spiritual intelligence and moral sensitivity (P=0.245). Therefore, it is necessary to conduct studies to investigate the mediating factors that may affect these variables for a better and deeper understanding.

Morteza Javanmardi , Seyede Elahe Karimipour , Zahra Bakhshizadeh , Mohammad Hossein Taklif, Negin Farid,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics 2024)
Abstract

Moral courage, encompassing the ability to act ethically in the face of adversity and uphold ethical principles, is crucial for nurses. This systematic review aimed to investigate the factors influencing moral courage among nurses. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using keywords such as "moral courage," "ethics," "nurses," and "courage" in major databases, including PubMed/Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Google Scholar, Irandoc, SID, and Magiran. The search included publications in both English and Persian with no time limitations. After excluding duplicates and screening the initial 2577 studies, 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. The review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews, ensuring ethical considerations were maintained throughout the selection, extraction, and analysis processes. The review revealed that moral courage in nurses is influenced by a multifaceted array of factors. Individual factors such as age, gender, work experience, and type of employment (e.g., permanent vs. temporary) were found to influence moral courage. Higher education, particularly possessing a master's degree or higher, and participation in medical ethics training were significantly associated with increased moral courage. Ethical sensitivity, defined as the ability to recognize and appreciate ethical dilemmas, was a significant facilitator of moral courage. A supportive work environment, characterized by factors such as strong ethical leadership, open communication, and adequate resources, was found to positively influence moral courage. Conversely, ethical distress experienced in challenging clinical situations can negatively impact moral courage. This review demonstrates that moral courage among nurses is influenced by a complex interplay of individual, professional, and environmental factors. Enhancing moral courage requires a multi-pronged approach, including strengthening nursing education with a robust emphasis on ethics training, fostering a supportive and ethically sound work environment, and implementing strategies to mitigate ethical distress. These interventions can significantly contribute to improved clinical practice and enhanced patient care.

Zahra Abdollahi, Marzieh Barahooei Noori, Mohammad Hossein Khani, Mohammad Hossein Taklif, Negin Farid,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics 2024)
Abstract

Moral intelligence encompasses an individual's ability to discern right from wrong, possess ethical values, and demonstrate ethical behavior in practice. Clinical competence, a crucial aspect of nursing practice, encompasses a combination of knowledge, skills, and attitudes, including adherence to ethical principles. This systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship between moral intelligence and clinical competence among nurses and nursing students. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using keywords related to "moral intelligence," "clinical competence," "nurses," and "nursing students" in major international databases, including Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar, as well as national databases such as Irandoc, SID, and Magiran. The search included publications in Persian and English with no time limitations. After removing duplicates and screening the initial 150 identified studies, five studies met the inclusion criteria. Ethical considerations, including minimizing bias in the selection, extraction, and analysis of evidence, were adhered to throughout the review process. The abstract adheres to PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. The review revealed a significant positive correlation between moral intelligence and clinical competence across various dimensions. Studies demonstrated that higher levels of moral intelligence were associated with improved clinical competence, including ethical reasoning and clinical self-efficacy. Factors such as age, work experience, educational status, and individual rank were found to influence this relationship. Additionally, some studies indicated that moral intelligence could predict clinical competence scores, while others demonstrated that it could be a significant predictor of clinical competence alongside other factors such as Grade Point Average (GPA). This systematic review provides evidence for a significant positive relationship between moral intelligence and clinical competence among nurses and nursing students. Enhancing moral intelligence through targeted educational interventions can contribute to improved clinical competence and ultimately enhance the quality of patient care. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating educational programs designed to enhance moral intelligence in nursing education and practice.

Mohammad Hossein Khani, Zahra Abdollahi, Marzieh Barahooei Noori , Mohammad Hossein Taklif, Negin Farid,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics 2024)
Abstract

Death anxiety, characterized by persistent fear of death, is a significant psychological burden. Spiritual care, encompassing compassionate listening, fostering trust, and addressing spiritual and existential concerns, has the potential to alleviate this anxiety. This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of spiritual care interventions on death anxiety in various patient populations. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using keywords such as "spiritual care," "death anxiety," "spirituality," and "patients" in major databases, including Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Irandoc, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar. The search included publications in English and Persian with no time limitations. After screening and removing duplicates, eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Ethical considerations, including minimizing bias in the selection, extraction, and analysis of evidence, were adhered to throughout the review process. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. The findings suggest a potential positive impact of spiritual care on reducing death anxiety. Studies conducted among patients with chronic kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke demonstrated that spiritual care interventions, including individual counseling and group support, can effectively alleviate death anxiety and improve overall well-being. However, some studies, particularly those involving patients with cardiac problems and gastrointestinal cancer, did not show a significant reduction in death anxiety. Furthermore, research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the potential effectiveness of tele-nursing interventions for providing spiritual care and alleviating death anxiety in older adults. This review provides evidence suggesting that spiritual care interventions may be effective in reducing death anxiety in certain patient populations. Further research is warranted to investigate the effectiveness of different spiritual care modalities across diverse patient groups, including those with chronic illnesses, terminal diseases, and those facing end-of-life care.

Negin Farid, Nazanin Nazari, Narges Jafar Malek,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics 2024)
Abstract

Narrative medicine has emerged as a transformative model in healthcare, emphasizing the role of patient stories in enhancing the quality of care. By recognizing the individuality of each patient's narrative—shaped by personal experiences and cultural contexts—this approach fosters deeper connections between caregivers and patients. Despite its growing recognition, narrative medicine remains underutilized in nursing, where the psychological and emotional dimensions of care are often overlooked. This systematic review examines clinical trials that investigate the integration of narrative practices into nursing education and care delivery, with the aim of assessing their clinical and educational impact. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across international and national databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, Noor, Magiran, Irandoc, and Google Scholar, using relevant English and Persian keywords. Eligible studies were clinical trials published in English or Persian. After removing duplicates and applying inclusion criteria, eight studies were included for analysis. Selection and data extraction were conducted independently by two researchers, with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and ethical standards were maintained throughout. The studies, published between 2018 and 2024, involved nursing students (mean age 17.96–21.5 years), patients with lung tumors (mean age 49.31 years), and elderly patients (aged 61–89 years) with complex fractures. Findings were synthesized into three main domains. First, narrative-based education significantly enhanced empathy and academic performance among nursing students. Second, the implementation of narrative approaches led to measurable reductions in anxiety and depression among patients, particularly those with lung tumors. Third, improvements were observed in overall quality of life, pain management, and cognitive function, especially in elderly patients. These findings suggest that narrative education plays a critical role in improving both clinical and psychological outcomes. Narrative-based interventions enhance the empathetic capacity of nurses and contribute to higher standards of patient care. Incorporating narrative approaches into nursing curricula and clinical practice is recommended as a strategy to foster more holistic and human-centered care.

Alireza Zare, Mohammad Hossein Taklif, Alireza Javid, Zahra Amadeh, Negin Farid,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics 2024)
Abstract

Nurses, as key members of the healthcare team, face complex ethical issues when caring for patients with chronic mental illnesses. These challenges include maintaining confidentiality, obtaining informed consent from patients with limited cognitive abilities, managing conflicts between patient rights and safety requirements, and addressing social stigma. Inadequate attention to these challenges may lead to reduced care quality and psychological stress for nurses. A better understanding of these challenges and the provision of appropriate solutions is essential. This study was conducted through a simple review approach. A comprehensive search was first conducted in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases. Combined keywords such as "ethical challenges," "nursing," "chronic mental illness patients," and "ethical care" were used. Inclusion criteria included studies published in English and Persian from 2010 to 2023, including research, review, and qualitative articles related to the topic. A total of 150 articles were identified, and after evaluating their quality and relevance, 30 articles were selected for final analysis. Data were analyzed using thematic and comparative analysis methods. The findings revealed that nurses face multiple challenges, including maintaining confidentiality when interacting with families, obtaining informed consent from patients with cognitive disorders, and managing ethical conflicts between patient safety and individual freedom. Additionally, a lack of specialized ethical training, the absence of clear protocols, and the pressure from the social stigma of patients were identified as key challenges. The ethical challenges faced by nurses in caring for patients with chronic mental illness require special attention from relevant organizations. Providing continuous education, developing ethical guidelines, and creating psychological and legal support can help mitigate these challenges. Further studies on practical, experience-based solutions to address these issues are recommended.

Alireza Zare, Mohammad Hossein Taklif, Alireza Javid, Zahra Amadeh, Negin Farid,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics 2024)
Abstract

As the global elderly population continues to rise, nursing care for this demographic faces increasing ethical challenges. The elderly are particularly vulnerable, requiring specialized care that addresses their physical, psychological, and social needs. However, these needs often present ethical dilemmas, including issues related to autonomy, informed consent, fairness in resource allocation, and managing conflicts between patients and their families. This systematic review aims to identify the ethical challenges nurses face in caring for elderly patients and to propose solutions that enhance the quality of care. A comprehensive search was conducted across several reputable databases, including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as "nursing ethics", "elderly", "ethical challenges", and "ethical care". Articles published between 2010 and 2023 in English and Persian were considered for inclusion. After an initial screening, 40 eligible articles were selected for final analysis, and thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. The findings reveal several key ethical challenges for nurses in elderly care, including respecting patient autonomy, navigating decision-making processes in cases of cognitive decline, ensuring confidentiality, and managing family pressures. Additional difficulties include resource shortages, high workload, and limited access to ethics training. Proposed solutions to address these challenges include continuous ethics education, the development of comprehensive ethics protocols, and the formation of interdisciplinary teams to facilitate more informed decision-making. Addressing ethical challenges in elderly care requires robust planning and action from health systems. By establishing clear ethical guidelines, promoting ongoing education, and fostering a supportive work environment, the quality of care for elderly patients can be significantly improved. Further research should evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in mitigating ethical issues within nursing practice.

Alireza Heidari, Seyed Hamed Atashi, Farideh Kouchak, Zahra Khatirnamani,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract

Addressing patients’ non-medical needs reflects the desires of patients and their families to engage more actively in decision-making and treatment processes. The present study aimed to assess the level of responsiveness to the non-medical needs of hospitalized patients. This was a cross-sectional study conducted using a descriptive-analytical approach. A total of 392 patients hospitalized in Shahid Sayad Shirazi and 5 Azar educational-therapeutic hospitals, affiliated with Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Gorgan, were included in the study. Participants were selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected using the validated and reliable responsiveness questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The mean (±SD) age of participants was (45.17 ±16.92) years, with 55.1% being male. The mean (±SD) overall score for the importance of responsiveness was (33.37 ±4.45), which was above the average. The majority of patients (over 65%) rated all dimensions of responsiveness as very important or extremely important. The most important dimension from the patients' perspective was the quality of the surrounding environment (95.9%), while the least important was the confidentiality of personal information (34.7%). The mean (±SD) overall score for responsiveness performance was 54.54 (0.70 ± 8), which was above the average. The overall score of the responsiveness performance and importance in Sayad Shirazi and 5 Azar educational hospitals was above average. Dimensions deemed important by patients but with weaker performance should be prioritized, and educational and therapeutic centers should pay more attention to patients’ non-clinical expectations.


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