Ethical and cultural considerations in informed consent in Botswana

Nurs Ethics. 2007 Jul;14(4):503-9. doi: 10.1177/0969733007077884.

Abstract

Reflections on my experience of conducting research in Botswana are used to highlight tensions and conflicts that arise from adhering to the western conceptualization of bioethics and the need to be culturally sensitive when carrying out research in one's own culture. Cultural practices required the need to exercise discretionary judgement guided by respect for the culture and decision-making protocols of the research participants. Ethical challenges that arose are discussed. The brokerage role of nurse educators and leaders in contextualizing western bioethics is emphasized.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Attitude of Health Personnel / ethnology
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Botswana
  • Caregivers / ethics
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Communication
  • Confidentiality / ethics
  • Confidentiality / psychology
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Decision Making / ethics
  • Family / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Informed Consent* / ethics
  • Informed Consent* / psychology
  • Judgment / ethics
  • Male
  • Negotiating / psychology
  • Nurse's Role / psychology
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Patient Advocacy / ethics
  • Patient Advocacy / psychology
  • Personal Autonomy
  • Researcher-Subject Relations / ethics
  • Researcher-Subject Relations / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Western World