title: Ethical dimensions of paediatric nursing: A rapid evidence assessment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paediatric nurses often face complex situations requiring decisions that sometimes clash with their own values and beliefs, or with the needs of the children they care for and their families. Paediatric nurses often use new technology that changes the way they provide care, but also reduces their direct interaction with the child. This may generate ethical issues, which nurses should be able to address in the full respect of the child. Research question and objectives: The purpose of this review is to describe the main ethical dimensions of paediatric nursing. Our research question was, 'What are the most common ethical dimensions and competences related to paediatric nursing?'
  
  
  METHODS
  A rapid evidence assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  According to the principles of the rapid evidence assessment, we searched the PubMed, SCOPUS and CINAHL databases for papers published between January 2001 and March 2015. These papers were then independently read by two researchers and analysed according to the inclusion criteria. Ethical considerations: Since this was a rapid evidence assessment, no approval from the ethics committee was required.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten papers met our inclusion criteria. Ethical issues in paediatric nursing were grouped into three areas: (a) ethical issues in paediatric care, (b) social responsibility and (c) decision-making process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Few studies investigate the ethical dimensions and aspects of paediatric nursing, and they are mainly qualitative studies conducted in critical care settings based on nurses' perceptions and experiences. Paediatric nurses require specific educational interventions to help them resolve ethical issues, contribute to the decision-making process and fulfil their role as advocates of a vulnerable population (i.e. sick children and their families). Further research is needed to investigate how paediatric nurses can improve the involvement of children and their families in decision-making processes related to their care plan.
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagnasco
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cadorin
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barisone
authors.affiliation: University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bressan
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iemmi
authors.affiliation: Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prandi
authors.affiliation: Trinity College, Ireland.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Timmins
authors.affiliation: University of Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sasso
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000941:ethics*; D012941:Social Responsibility
keywords: Ethical competences; ethical dimensions; ethical issues; paediatric nursing; responsibility