{"title":"Clinical Nurses' Experiences of Discrimination Against Patients: A Qualitative Study in Iran.","authors":"Aram Karimian, Afsaneh Sadooghiasl, Mitra Khoobi, Eesa Mohammadi, Anoshirvan Kazemnejad","doi":"10.1177/01939459251352300","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Any form of discrimination directly opposes the ethical principles and values of the nursing profession. Discriminatory care is a major moral challenge to healthcare systems around the world.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to explore clinical nurses' experiences of discrimination against patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This qualitative study used a conventional content analysis approach. Thirteen nurses were selected through purposive sampling from various clinical units at public and private hospitals in Iran. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, and data analysis was performed using Granheim and Lundman's 5-step method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study identified 3 main themes and 6 subthemes. These include \"duplicity in the application of organizational rules\" (comprising differences in providing hospitalization and patient accommodation services and ignoring organizational regulations in providing welfare services), \"inequality in relationship with patients\" (encompassing disregard for ethical considerations in patient relationships and differential physical presence at the patient's bedside), and \"differences in the delivery of care and treatment services\" (involving neglecting patients' needs in care provision and expediting the provision of interdisciplinary services).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study underscores that discrimination in health care extends beyond direct patient care, infiltrating physical, material, and even intangible aspects such as communication style and patient attention. To combat this pervasive issue, nurses must receive comprehensive education about the various forms of discrimination. By implementing both immediate and long-term strategies, including policies and programs, we can work toward creating a more inclusive and respectful healthcare environment for all.</p>","PeriodicalId":49365,"journal":{"name":"Western Journal of Nursing Research","volume":" ","pages":"1939459251352300"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Western Journal of Nursing Research","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459251352300","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"NURSING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Any form of discrimination directly opposes the ethical principles and values of the nursing profession. Discriminatory care is a major moral challenge to healthcare systems around the world.
Objective: This study aimed to explore clinical nurses' experiences of discrimination against patients.
Methods: This qualitative study used a conventional content analysis approach. Thirteen nurses were selected through purposive sampling from various clinical units at public and private hospitals in Iran. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, and data analysis was performed using Granheim and Lundman's 5-step method.
Results: The study identified 3 main themes and 6 subthemes. These include "duplicity in the application of organizational rules" (comprising differences in providing hospitalization and patient accommodation services and ignoring organizational regulations in providing welfare services), "inequality in relationship with patients" (encompassing disregard for ethical considerations in patient relationships and differential physical presence at the patient's bedside), and "differences in the delivery of care and treatment services" (involving neglecting patients' needs in care provision and expediting the provision of interdisciplinary services).
Conclusion: This study underscores that discrimination in health care extends beyond direct patient care, infiltrating physical, material, and even intangible aspects such as communication style and patient attention. To combat this pervasive issue, nurses must receive comprehensive education about the various forms of discrimination. By implementing both immediate and long-term strategies, including policies and programs, we can work toward creating a more inclusive and respectful healthcare environment for all.
背景:任何形式的歧视都直接反对护理职业的道德原则和价值观。歧视性护理是对世界各地卫生保健系统的重大道德挑战。目的:探讨临床护士对患者歧视的体会。方法:本定性研究采用传统的含量分析方法。通过有目的抽样,从伊朗公立和私立医院的各个临床单位选出13名护士。数据收集采用半结构化访谈方式,数据分析采用Granheim and Lundman的5步法。结果:本研究确定了3个主要主题和6个次要主题。其中包括“在适用组织规则方面表里不一”(包括在提供住院和病人住宿服务方面存在差异,在提供福利服务方面无视组织规定)、“与病人关系不平等”(包括无视病人关系中的道德考虑以及在病人床边的不同实际存在),以及“提供护理和治疗服务的差异”(包括忽视患者在提供护理方面的需求和加快提供跨学科服务)。结论:本研究强调医疗保健中的歧视超出了直接的患者护理,渗透到身体、物质甚至无形的方面,如沟通方式和患者注意力。为了解决这个普遍存在的问题,护士必须接受有关各种形式歧视的全面教育。通过实施包括政策和计划在内的近期和长期战略,我们可以努力为所有人创造一个更加包容和尊重的医疗保健环境。
期刊介绍:
Western Journal of Nursing Research (WJNR) is a widely read and respected peer-reviewed journal published twelve times a year providing an innovative forum for nurse researchers, students, and clinical practitioners to participate in ongoing scholarly dialogue. WJNR publishes research reports, systematic reviews, methodology papers, and invited special papers. This journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).