title: Ethical sensitivity in practice: finding tacit moral knowing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article presents a discussion of the conceptual model of ethical sensitivity.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Recent research pays little attention to the tacit dimension of ethical knowledge. We focus on care practices, drawing a distinction between explicit moral knowledge and tacit moral knowing. This focus has far-reaching methodological consequences, influences the research design of empirical research and enables healthcare workers to discern both explicit and tacit knowing.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article draws on literature about tacit knowledge, practices and ethical sensitivity, covering publications from 1958-2011. Data used in the illustrative cases were gathered in 2009 during the phenomenological phase of a multiple-case study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taking practices as the point of entry for exploring ethical sensitivity makes it possible to study empirically both explicit moral knowledge and tacit moral knowing. Given how relevant practical knowledge is, we aim to put forward a theoretical framework that leaves room for the discernment of this tacit moral knowing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Creating opportunities to reflect on daily ethical concerns in an inter-professional team can contribute to improvement on quality of care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The broadened perspective on ethical sensitivity can be used as a heuristic device to discern what both explicit and implicit moral knowledge in care are about. This empirical way of looking at care practices can enhance the awareness of the moral knowing of the professional caregiver.
authors.affiliation: School of Theology, Tilburg University, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marlies
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Der Zande
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Humanities, Tilburg University, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Andries
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baart
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Humanities, Tilburg University, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frans
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vosman
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D017028:Caregivers / Q000941:ethics; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009014:Morals; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000941:ethics*; D011364:Professional Practice
keywords: ethical sensitivity; healthcare professionals; nursing; qualitative research; shadowing; tacit knowing