Case managers and ethical decision making

Abstract

In a descriptive study, Lutzen's Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire (MSQ) was used to describe nurse case managers' perception of ethical decision making. Both community-based and hospital-based case managers responded. Research questions addressed (a) relationship between respondent's age and patient autonomy and between length of experience as case manager and benevolence; and (b) difference in conflict in ethical decision-making by level of education and difference in rules in ethical decision-making by type of setting. No significant correlations were found between the respondent age and patient autonomy nor between the respondents' length of experience as case manager and benevolence. There was a statistically significant difference in perception of conflict by educational level. Difference in rules in ethical decision making by type of setting approached statistical significance.