Contextual influences on nurses' decision-making in cases of physical restraint

Abstract

Background: In order to fully understand nurses' ethical decision-making in cases of physical restraint in acute older people care, contextual influences on the process of decision-making should be clarified.

Research questions: What is the influence of context on nurses' decision-making process in cases of physical restraint, and what is the impact of context on the prioritizing of ethical values when making a decision on physical restraint?

Research design: A qualitative descriptive study inspired by the Grounded Theory approach was carried out.

Participants and research context: In total, 21 in-depth interviews were carried out with nurses working on acute geriatric wards in Flanders, Belgium.

Ethical considerations: The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Leuven.

Findings: Relationships with nursing colleagues and the patient's family form an inter-personal network. Nurses also point to the importance of the procedural-legal context as expressed in an institutional ethics policy and procedures, or through legal requirements concerning physical restraint. Furthermore, the architectural structure of a ward, the availability of materials and alternatives for restraint use can be decisive in nurses' decision-making. All interviewed nurses highlighted the unquestionable role of the practical context of care. Context can have a guiding, supportive, or decisive role in decision-making concerning the application of physical restraint.

Discussion: The discussion focuses on the role of the inter-personal network of nurses on the process of decision-making.

Conclusion: An institutional ethics policy and a value-supportive care environment can support nurses in their challenge to take ethically sound decisions.

Keywords: Context; decision-making; nursing; physical restraint; qualitative study.