Health, Spirituality and Medical Ethics

Background and Objectives: Respecting privacy means respecting individuals, their dignity and independence. It is mandatory to observe privacy in health-care systems. Therefore, this study was carried out with the aim of expressing nursing students’ experience of privacy in pediatrics ward. Methods: This qualitative study was done inductively using content analysis method. The participants included 10 nursing students studying at 6th semester. The samples were selected purposefully. The semi-structured interview with each  participant lasted for 30 minutes. Results: Based on data analysis obtained from students’ experiences three following major categories were obtained: The need to change pediatrics ward, lack of attention to observance of patient’s privacy and the necessity of paying attention to patient’s rights. Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that inappropriateness of ward atmosphere, ward crowdedness, training state of hospital are among factors which give rise to failure in observing  privacy. Considering that maintaining privacy is one of fundamental human rights, it is also necessary to change attitudes of students and personnel and to train them in order to observe privacy. The academic staff and instructors should provide nursing and medical students with required trainings in observing privacy.