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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Factors influencing the lived experience of paramedics facing ethical dilemmas: a case comparison
International Journal of Ethics Education, Vol.8(2), pp.321-333
2023
Abstract
Paramedics encounter ethical dilemmas at work, and while previous research has improved ethics education and practice, more can be learned from the lived experience of paramedics facing ethical challenges. This paper explores the lived experience of two paramedics, one with five years' experience, the other twenty, presented with comparable cases. The participants, who were interviewed in a broader qualitative study exploring practical wisdom, were asked to select a case involving ethical decision-making from their own practice experience. Semi-structured interviews employed the five-step Critical Decision Method as a framework to explore various aspects of the decision-making process. The two cases were identified as exemplars of prominent themes suitable for discussion. The findings highlighted several factors that influence paramedic ethical decision-making, including practical wisdom, communication and teamwork, clinical support, and education. This case comparison identifies a greater need to focus education on the fostering of practical wisdom, and the development of non-technical skills such as communication and teamwork, supported by interprofessional education endeavours. Furthermore, greater access to support for paramedics must be available to further evolve practical wisdom. The combination of improved education and support will likely cater for the full spectrum of ethical challenges faced by paramedics in their work.
Details
- Title
- Factors influencing the lived experience of paramedics facing ethical dilemmas: a case comparison
- Authors
- Kirsty Shearer (Corresponding Author) - Central Queensland UniversityMatthew Thomas - Central Queensland UniversityTania Signal - Central Queensland UniversityRuth Townsend - Paramedicine Council of New South Wales (Australia)
- Publication details
- International Journal of Ethics Education, Vol.8(2), pp.321-333
- Publisher
- Springer
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1007/s40889-023-00164-y
- ISSN
- 2364-0006; 2363-9997
- Copyright note
- This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
- Data Availability
- Data generated during the present study is not possible to be shared due to issues of participants’ privacy and confidentiality.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Paramedicine
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991182444002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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