Explanation of Psychological Variables’ Meaning in Moral Sensitivity from the Perspective of Operating Room Treatment Staff

Moral sensitivity is one of the important criteria in the principles of professional ethics and psychology is the theme of some of its dimensions, thus the aim of this study was to explain meaning of moral sensitivity by emphasizing on its psychological dimensions from the perspective of operating room treatment staff. In this quantitative research, a semi-structured and in-depth interview was conducted with a total of 11 operating room treatment staff. Content analysis was carried out by Strauss and Corbin method. Output of the recent study includes three themes of environmental variables, individual and interpersonal events and problems, and the reciprocal rights of the patient and medical staff. Dimensions of moral sensitivity included degree of respect for the client's independence, level of awareness about how to communicate with the patient, level of professional knowledge, experience of moral problems and conflicts, use of ethical concepts in moral decisions, and honesty and benevolence. Our observations revealed difference between views of the staff from various dimensions of "moral sensitivity" with what is actually mentioned in the texts. To the extent that many of the interviewees perceived moral sensitivity as something that offends them personally.