Ethical Problem Solving Research Articles

Ethics and information science

The challenge of ethical problem solving in the context of the information-science professions has fostered debate over whether a code of ethics might not provide a valuable guide to decision making in situations involving ethical conflicts. Sample issues and questions are presented with an aim toward placing them in historical and philosophical frameworks for considering the tension between knowledge and power. While the article concludes that ethical choices are too dynamic and unpredictable to make a fixed code useful, practical guidelines to help information professionals act out of wisdom are offered. © 1987 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

491 PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, ANP MORAL PROBLEMS IN PROVIDING PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE

A pilot observational and interview study was undertaken to determine if the medical staff of a pediatric intensive care unit experiences difficulty working in an area noted for psychosocial and ethical ambiguity. It was determined that physicians focus their attention on data about patients rather than on patients directly. The team has little difficulty discussing or acting on technical matters. However, they have minimal patience for or skill with ethical dilemmas.In interviews, 14 of 15 pediatric house officers praised the education in the unit. All 15 felt the unit was an especially difficult place to work compared to other areas of the hospital. Nine reported feelings of depression. Hight reported signs or symptoms of that disorder, including problems in relationships with spouses or friends, irritability, poor performance, as well as sleep and appetite disturbances. Twelve residents sought emotional support from peers or attending physicians to a greater extent than usual. The residents were especially bother by frequent deaths, interactions with patients' distressed families, ethical problem solving, unfamiliarity with the unit's technology and drugs, and the work load.The staffs of intensive care units are ill prepared for the variety of biomedical, emotional, and moral problems they encounter. More attention to psychosocial and ethical issues is likely to improve patient care and staff adaptation.