An ethical assessment framework for addressing global genetic issues in clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the perceptions of nurses regarding the importance of each action skill listed in the Ethical Assessment Framework (EAF) to their ethical decision-making process and how prepared they were to undertake each action when confronted by moral dilemmas in clinical practice, and to identify general genetic ethical issues of concern and frequency encountered.


METHODS
Descriptive, exploratory. SAMPLE AND SETTINGS: Members of the Oncology Nursing Society's Cancer Genetics Special Interest Group (n = 34) and the International Society of Nurses in Genetics (n = 101).


METHODS
Participants completed the Ethical Assessment Skills Survey and Genetic Ethical Issues Survey.


METHODS
Perceptions of level of importance and preparation for each action skill in the EAF and level of concern and frequency encountered regarding ethical issues in clinical practice.


RESULTS
Each ethical action skill listed in the EAF was rated as important to the ethical decision-making process, although minimal skill level was reported in 60% of the steps. Nurses reported major concerns about the frequently encountered issues of confidentiality, managed care, and informed consent.


CONCLUSIONS
The EAF proposes action skills that can assist nurses in developing expertise in ethical decision making and offers a model for addressing genetic ethical issues in clinical practice. Protection of patient confidentiality was the number one ethical concern of nurses surveyed.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses are challenged to have comprehensive and current genetic knowledge, which is necessary to advocate for, educate, counsel, and support patients and families confronting difficult genetic healthcare decisions. Nurses will be able to effectively translate genetic information to patients by developing and using ethical decision-making and counseling skills. Effective measures to protect confidentiality of patient data are important to ensure that genetic information is safeguarded.
Jmcassells@aol.com
Judith M
JM
Cassells
Jean
J
Jenkins
Dale Halsey
DH
Lea
Kathleen
K
Calzone
Eunice
E
Johnson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019976:Cloning, Organism / Q000941:ethics / Q000451:nursing; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000941:ethics; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004993:Ethics, Nursing / Q000193:education; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000941:ethics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D033142:Genetic Services / Q000941:ethics*; D005821:Genetic Techniques / Q000941:ethics* / Q000451:nursing*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000941:ethics; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States