Patients’ Knowledge and Perception on Nurses’ Adherence to Nurses’ Professional Code of Ethics in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

In recent times, the showcasing of professional ethical standards at workplaces has become an imperative issue of interest in almost all professions including the health profession in general and nursing. This study investigated patient's knowledge and perception of patients on Nurses' adherence to their professional codes of ethics in Ghana, using Eastern Regional Hospital, Koforidua as a case study. A Cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 patients at the Eastern Regional Hospital, Koforidua using a simple random sampling in selecting participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Females (64.8%) dominated the study and a Majority (68.5%) of respondents were between the ages of 21-40 years. Most of the respondents (83.2%) did not have any knowledge about nurses' professional code of ethics. The majority (59.8%) of patients agreed nurses do not introduce themselves with their name, title and professional role to patients. However, most of the respondents (60.3%) agreed that nurses carried out all nursing interventions and procedures with respect to preserving the patient's dignity. The respondents indicated that majority of nurses (78.5%) did not discriminate in attending to patients. Most nurses (66.0%) obtained the consent of the patient before any nursing intervention is performed. Majority of patients (83.3%) do not have knowledge of the nurses’ professional code of ethics in Ghana. Ghanaians need to be sensitized on professional ethics of nurse to understand and know what is expected of nurses so they can be able to put nurses in check.