CONCEPT OF VALUES AND BELIEFE

CHAP 2

Objectives

At the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

1. Define value/belief pattern

2. Explain how behaviors related to values

3. Identify sources of professional nursing values

4. Apply cultural and developmental perspective when identifying values

5. Examine values conflict and resolution in nursing care situations

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Introduction:

Values are important in nursing and health care as they

underpin all aspects of professional practice , including

decision making , choose between alternatives , and

resolve conflict . Values can be divided into three levels of expressions

1. Beliefs
2. values themselves
3. Attitudes

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Terminologies

• Value: Beliefs or attitudes about the worth of a person, object, idea or action.

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• Belief: Beliefs are the assumptions we make about ourselves, about others in the world and about how we expect things to be.

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• Attitude: Feelings toward a person, object or idea (e.g, acceptance, rejection, etc.)

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BELIEF

• A Belief is a state of the mind which regards a thing to be true or Having confidence that something is true .
• A belief is an internal feeling that something is true, even though that belief may be unproven & irrational, e.g I belief that there is life after death
• Beliefs are the assumptions and convictions that are held to be true, by an individual or a group, regarding concepts, events, people, and things
• Beliefs are held without recourse to proof or evidence.
• Beliefs can be influenced by many factors , including knowledge , experience , culture , and religion.
• The most basic value and the one that changes least

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Belief

• Beliefs goes beyond the obvious, based more on faith than fact.
• One of the main beliefs in nursing is that patients will get better with good care .
• Another belief may be that this, rather than other work, is ultimately satisfactory .
• Belief Systems: Often deal with issues which cannot be explained by reason or logic – creation, the meaning of life, afterlife
• Values have major influence on person's behavior and attitude and serve as broad guidelines in all situations

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Conti….

A belief system is an ideology or set of principles that helps us to interpret our everyday reality. This could be in the form of religion, political affiliation, philosophy, or spirituality, among many other things.

These beliefs are shaped and influenced by a number of different factors. Our knowledge on a certain topic, the way we were raised, and even peer pressure from others can help to create and even change our belief systems.

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Types of Beliefs

1. Commendatory ("I believe I am a good writer)
2. Existentialism (Belief in God)

• Monotheism
• Polytheism
• Atheistic

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Value

• They are also beliefs and are defined as: “Beliefs about what is desirable or good and what is undesirable or bad”
• Values are ideals that guide or qualify your personal conduct, interaction with others, and involvement in your career. Like morals, they
• Help you to distinguish what is right from what is wrong &
• Inform you on how you can conduct your life in a meaningful way.
• Value is a measure of the worth or importance a person attaches to something; our values are often reflected in the way we live our lives. example I value freedom of speech.

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• A coherent set of values adopted and/or evolved by a person, organization, or society as a standard to guide its behavior in preferences in all situations

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Types of Values

• Religious Value
• Personal Value
• Cultural Value
• Humanistic
• Optimistic
• Democratic
• Motivational Value

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Types of values

Religious values

Religious values are ethical principles founded in religious traditions, texts and beliefs. In contrast to personal values, religious-based values are based on scriptures and a religion's established norms

They help people determine which actions to take, and to make judgments about right or wrong and good or bad

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Types of values

Personal Values

Personal values are principles that define you as an individual. Personal values, such as honesty, reliability, and trust, determine how you will face the world and relate with people

Cultural Values

Cultural values, like the practice of your faith and customs, are principles that sustain connections with your cultural roots. They help you feel connected to a larger community of people with similar backgrounds.

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Types of values

Humanistic values

They proclaim the importance of the individual.

Respect the whole person.

Treat people with respect and dignity.

Assume that every one has intrinsic worth.

View all people as having the potential for growth & development.

Optimistic values

They post that people are basically good.

Progress is possible and desirable.

Rationality, reason, and goodwill are the tools for making progress.

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Types of values

Democratic Values

• They assert the sanctity of the individual.
• The right of people to be free from misuse of power.
• Use of fair and equitable treatment for all.
• Need for justice through rule of law.

Motivational Values

• Internal and external Values that stimulate desire and energy in people to be continually interested and committed to a job, role or subject, or to make an effort to attain a goal

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Types of values

Motivational Value

• Achievement: personal success through demonstrating competence according to the social standards
• Hedonism: pleasure and sensuous gratification for oneself

• Stimulation: excitement, novelty and challenge in life

• Self Direction: independent thought and action choosing, creating, exploring
• Power: social status and prestige, control or dominance over the people and resources

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Types of values

Rituals

A ritual is a formalized, predetermined set of symbolic actions performed in a particular environment at a regular, recurring interval. The set of actions that comprise a ritual often include, but are not limited to, such things as recitation, singing, group processions, repetitive dance, manipulation of sacred objects Examples are,- Hindus performing Puja, Catholics taking Communion. Muslims praying.

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Values Transmission

Values are learned through observation and experience. We accumulate our values from childhood via teaching and observation of our parents, teachers, religious leaders, and other influential and powerful people.

Values are highly influenced by a person’s family, sociocultural environment, and peer groups. For example, if a parent consistently demonstrates honesty in dealing, the child will probably begin to value honesty.

Similarly, some cultures prefer folk treatment over new medicine which is learned from culture.

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Values Influence on Behavior

• Values can have a positive influence on a person's behavior as he or she tries to emulate the conduct he or she holds as valuable.
• Values are one important element that affect who we are and how we behave towards others.
• Companies can influence a person's behavior with codes of conduct, ethics committees, and a punishment and reward system.
• Sometimes there will be a gap between a person's values and behavior. Organizational strategies, such as a reward system, can close that gap.
• If we deem something valuable then we do what we can to emulate that value. If a person values honesty, then they will strive to be honest. If a person values transparency then they will work hard to be transparent. Values are one important element that affect who we are and how we behave towards others

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Professional values for nurses

• Be kind and considerate to those for whom they provide care, and to their carers and families
• Listen to, and work in partnership with those for whom they provide care
• Work constructively with colleagues to provide patientcentered care, recognising that multi-disciplinary teamwork, encouraging constructive challenge from all team members, safety-focused leadership and a culture based on openness and learning when things go wrong are fundamental to achieve high quality care.
• Follow their employing or contracting bodies’ procedures when they have concerns about the safety or dignity of people receiving care

Professional values for nurses

Be open and honest with people receiving care if something goes wrong.

Nurses ' professional values are acquired during socilizationinto nursing from codes of ethics , nursing experiences , teachers ,and peers . The American Association of Colleges of Nursing

(AACN , 1998) identified five values essential for the professional nurse altruism , autonomy , humandignity , integrity , and social justice .

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Professional values for nurses

Altruism is a concern for the welfare and well-being of others. In professional practice, altruism is reflected by the nurse's concern for the welfare of patients, other nurses, and other health care providers.

Autonomy is the right to self-determination. Professional practice reflects autonomy when the nurse respects patients' rights to make decisions about their health care.

Human dignity is respect for the inherent worth and uniqueness of individuals and populations. In professional practice, human dignity is reflected when the nurse values and respects all patients and colleagues.

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Integrity is acting in accordance with an appropriate code of ethics and accepted standards of practice. Integrity is reflected in professional practice when the nurse is honest and provides care based on an ethical framework that is accepted within the profession.

Social justice is upholding moral, legal, and humanistic principles. This value is reflected in professional practice when the nurse works to ensure equal treatment under the law and equal access to quality health care

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PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS

• Demonstrates understanding of cultures, beliefs, and perspectives of others.
• Advocates for patients, particularly the most vulnerable,
• Takes risks on behalf of patients and colleagues.
• Mentors other professionals.

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• Plans care in partnership with patients.
• Honors the right of patients and families to make decisions about health care,
• Provides information so patients can make informed choices

PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS

• Provides culturally competent and sensitive care.

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• Protects the patient's privacy.

• Preserves the confidentiality of patients and health care providers.

• Designs care with sensitivity to individual patient needs,

• Provides honest information to patients and the public.

PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS

• Documents care accurately and honestly.

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• Demonstrates accountability for own actions. Supports fairness and nondiscrimination in the delivery of care.

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• Promotes universal access to health care.

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• Encourages legislation and policy consistent with the advancement of nursing care and health care.

Typical Value conflict and Sample Controvercies

1. Loyalty-honesty
2. Competition-Cooperation
3. Freedom of press- national security
4. Equality-individualism
5. Order-freedom of speech

6. Security –excitement

7. Generosity –material success

8. Rationality –spontaneity

9. Tradition –novelty

Should you tell your parents about your sester’s drug habit?

Do you support grading system?

Is it wise to hold weekly presidential press conference?

Are racial qoutas for employment fair?

Shoud we imprison those with radical ideas?

Should you choose a dangerous profession?

Is it desirable to give financial help to a beggar?

Should you check the odds before placing a bet?

Should divorces be easily available?

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Ethics

The study of moral rules and principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity.

• Justice & Equality
• Respect for human dignity
• Relationships to patients
• The nature of health problems
• The right to self-determination
• Relationships with colleagues and others
• Privacy of patient's interests
• Conflict Resolution among Nurses
• Collaboration
• Professional boundaries

SUMMARY

• Values are learned and change in response to life situations as persons develops
• How value influence attitudes and how they together influence professional behavior.
• Most values are derived from four main sources that influence our personal and professional attitudes(Science ,Culture ,Religion and Experience)
• people arrive at their own values through Choosing , Prizing and then acting on them
• Values important in nursing settings as( values of health , health care , caring and nursing

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References

• Tschudin, Verena ,RGN,...etc. .(1998).Ethics in Nursing. The caring relationship-2nd ed. British Library p(28-45).
• SimonS.B.,Howe.,L.W.@Kirshenbaum,H.(1995).Values

Clarification: Ahandbook of practical strategies for

teachers and students .New York: Hart.

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• Fundamental of nursing by Erab & Koizer (6^th edition)

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