Nursing ethics for prevention and control of major infectious disease outbreaks: Chinese expert consensus

OBJECTIVES: Major infectious disease has become a serious threat to people’s health worldwide. As the world’s largest healthcare workforce and the core forces fighting against the epidemic, nurses are on the frontline of this battle. A number of ethical issues have given rise to numerous concerns that have largely affected nurses in different ways as they respond to the epidemic. In addition, excessive expectations from people can exert undue pressure, which can easily lead to burnout in nurses. METHODS: In this consensus, the expert panel method was used to develop and reach a consensus. The members involved in the formation of the consensus included an expert discussion panel and a consensus writing expert group, a methodologist, and four secretaries. After 16 rounds of online expert consultation and two rounds of expert panel meetings, the writing team analyzed and reviewed the 78 amendments suggested by the experts to develop a consensus on nursing ethics for prevention and control of major infectious disease outbreaks based on the ethical vision of life care. RESULTS: This expert consensus focuses on five essential domains: the responsibilities and rights of nurses, the nurse-patient relationship, the doctor-nurse relationship, and the relationship between society and nurses throughout the epidemic. CONCLUSIONS: We hope this consensus can help nurses better understand and respond to the ethical issues and challenges in public health emergencies, and raise reasonable public expectations of the roles and responsibilities of nurses in these situations.