ASSESSING THE ROLE OF NURSING ETHICS IN THE PROTECTION OF PATIENT RIGHTS IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The term "ethics" is derived from the Greek word "ethos," which refers to one's character. Ethical values are universally applicable principles that serve as a pragmatic foundation for discerning the kind of actions, intentions, and reasons that are esteemed (Östman et al., 2019). Additionally, ethics refer to the moral principles that dictate the behaviour and behaviour of individuals or groups (Trobec, 2018). Every individual possesses a unique set of personal ethics and morals. The significance of ethics in healthcare lies in the necessity for healthcare professionals to identify ethical challenges, exercise sound judgement, and make decisions based on their own values while adhering to the legal framework that governs their practice. In order to effectively and ethically carry out their duties, nurses, along with other healthcare professionals, require regulation and direction within their field (Epstein & Turner, 2019).

The emergence of nursing ethics can be traced back to the late 19th century. During that period, ethics was believed to encompass characteristics such as medical loyalty, exemplary moral integrity, and obedience (Epstein & Turner, 2019).Since its inception, the nursing profession has seen significant development, with nurses now being integral members of the healthcare team and serving as advocates for patients.  However, the ANA (American Nursing Association) has developed and published a guide that provides nurses with direction in their daily work and establishes key objectives and principles for the profession. The purpose of the document was to offer a concise declaration of the moral responsibilities and obligations that any individual who joins the nursing profession must adhere to. Similarly, the document establishes an unwavering moral criterion and represents nursing's own comprehension of its dedication to society. The Code of Ethics has undergone revisions over its existence. The contemporary version encompasses technological advancements, sociological shifts, the growth of nursing practice into advanced positions, research, teaching, health policy, administration, and the establishment and sustenance of conducive work environments.

Hamidian, (2018) asserts that the fundamental principle of nursing is to uphold the human rights and dignity of every patient. Healthcare organisations should prioritise the safeguarding of patients' rights. According to Hasanian (2018), the responsibilities of healthcare professionals are determined by the rights of patients. Healthcare professionals prioritise the promotion of patient rights, which is seen as an important measure of the overall health of a community (Joolaee, Nikbakht-Nasrabadi, & Parsa-Yekt, 2019). The standards of healthcare services can be defined based on patient rights. Conversely, the notion of patient rights has been increasing in tandem with the growing attention from international organisations towards human rights. The impact of patients' rights on healthcare settings worldwide become increasingly substantial. Most patients lack awareness regarding their rights. Many individuals obediently follow the instructions given by their doctors. Some individuals do not enquire as to the reason behind a certain action or situation. Many individuals refrain from asking questions due to their reluctance to consume the doctor's or nurse's time or to come across as uninformed. Some individuals may lack knowledge about which enquiries to pose. Nevertheless, nurses are obligated to uphold the utmost ethical principles for their own benefit, the advancement of their profession, and the well-being of their patients. Numerous organisations implement ethics boards to evaluate ethical issues. It is imperative for nurses at every level of practice to participate in the ethical evaluation process within their own area of expertise. Advocating for patient care, patient rights, and ethical considerations in practice is crucial. Therefore, this study seeks to assess the role of nursing ethics in the protection of patient rights in Cameroon.

Statement of the Problem

Ensuring the rights of patients is a fundamental aspect of contemporary healthcare, highlighting the importance of treating individuals receiving medical treatment with respect, allowing them to make independent decisions, and promoting their overall welfare. Nevertheless, in numerous healthcare environments, especially in underdeveloped nations such as Cameroon, the safeguarding of these rights is insufficient, leading to notable ethical dilemmas. Nursing ethics, serving as a structure for professional behaviour, plays a vital role in protecting the rights of patients. Despite the presence of ethical rules, abuses of patient rights persist due to systemic difficulties like as insufficient ethical training, resource limitations, and cultural factors.

Nurses, who commonly serve as the main caretakers, frequently encounter situations where they must make challenging judgement that directly impact patient rights. Systemic restrictions often lead to compromised concerns such as informed consent, patient confidentiality, and the right to obtain quality care. The absence of thorough ethical instruction for nurses worsens this issue, as numerous nurses are inadequately prepared to handle the intricate ethical predicaments they face in their everyday work (Mboua et al., 2022). Moreover, the absence of effective measures to ensure compliance with ethical standards in Cameroon's healthcare system exacerbates the continuous infringement of patient rights. While there exist professional organisations and regulatory frameworks that delineate the ethical obligations of nurses, the enforcement of these norms is sometimes lacking in effectiveness. The disparity between theoretical knowledge and practical application fosters an atmosphere where unethical conduct can remain unmonitored, resulting in the erosion of patient confidence and the overall standard of healthcare (Emeh & Ndi, 2019). Hence, it is in the light of these challenges, the study seeks to assess the role of nursing ethics in the protection of patient rights in Cameroon.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the role of nursing ethics in the protection of patient rights in Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Evaluate the extent to which nursing ethics empower nurses to advocate for patient rights in Cameroon.

Investigate the effectiveness of nursing ethics in maintaining patient confidentiality in Cameroonian healthcare institutions.

Assess the role of nursing ethics in promoting dignity and respect for patients in healthcare facilities in Cameroon.

1.4  Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

To what extent do nursing ethics empower nurses to advocate for patient rights in Cameroon?

How effective are nursing ethics in maintaining patient confidentiality in Cameroonian healthcare institutions?

What role do nursing ethics play in promoting dignity and respect for patients in healthcare facilities in Cameroon?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0: Nursing ethics do not significantly contribute to the protection of patient rights in Cameroon.

Ha: Nursing ethics significantly contribute to the protection of patient rights in Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will yield significant practical ramifications for healthcare workers, policymakers, and the general populace. Healthcare providers, especially nurses, will gain significant insights into the ethical principles that govern patient care from these findings. Also, the findings will enhanced patient-nurse interactions, promoting a more empathetic and courteous healthcare environment.Moreover, the study will offer evidence-based suggestions to hospital administrators and policymakers about the creation and execution of ethical training programs and policies that prioritise patient rights. This might results in increased patient satisfaction, decreased occurrences of malpractice, and overall enhancements in the quality of healthcare provision in Cameroon. In addition, the research will enhance knowledge among patients and the general public of their entitlements within the healthcare system, empowering them to fight for improved treatment and care.

Furthermore, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to the role of nursing ethics in the protection of patient rights in Cameroon.

1.7 Scope of the study   

The scope of this study is boarded on  the role of nursing ethics in the protection of patient rights in Cameroon. Empirically, the study will evaluate the extent to which nursing ethics empower nurses to advocate for patient rights, investigate the effectiveness of nursing ethics in maintaining patient confidentiality in healthcare institutions and assess the role of nursing ethics in promoting dignity and respect for patients in healthcare facilities.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to nurses in Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Nursing: profession and practice of providing care to individuals, families, and communities to maintain or improve their health and quality of life.

Ethics: set of principles and standards that guide moral conduct and decision-making.

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