[Implementing the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in postgraduate education in nursing science-a pilot project to assess ethical competences in nursing practice and research].

Background: Teaching ethical competencies is an essential component of professional and postgraduate curricula. Developing practical-ethical problem-solving competencies as well as appraising program-specific studies and related research ethics are topics typically addressed. However, assessment of these ethical competencies poses a challenge.

Nurses' decision-making in ethically relevant clinical situations using the example of breathlessness: study protocol of a reflexive grounded theory integrating Goffman's framework analysis.

Introduction: Decision-making (DM) in healthcare can be understood as an interactive process addressing decision makers' reasoning as well as their visible behaviour after the decision is made. Other key elements of DM are ethical aspects and the role as well as the treatment options of the examined professions. Nurses' DM to choose interventions in situations of severe breathlessness is such interactions.

Breathlessness and crises in the context of advanced illness: A comparison between COPD and lung cancer patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore and contrast the experience and meaning of breathlessness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or lung cancer at the end of life.

Method: We conducted a qualitative study embedded in a longitudinal study using topic-guided in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of patients suffering from breathlessness affecting their daily activities due to advanced (primary or secondary) lung cancer or COPD stage III/IV. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using framework analysis.

[Nurses end-of-life decision making. Professional nurses about the application of complementary care for patients with breathlessness].

Aim of this study was to explore the nursing professionals' experiences and handling of decisions to provide complementary care for patients with breathlessness at the end of life. Therefore, it presents one of the first studies in the German speaking area addressing genuine nursing decisions belonging to their responsibility. Based on Grounded Theory Methodology the data were collected and analysed synchronously.

[Relevance and modification of autonomy and care at the end of life. Results of a survey by means of a vignette-study].

For several years the public and the associations of nurses and physicians have discussed ways and possibilities for a good and professional end-of-life attendance of patients. In this connection a descriptive vignette-study (n = 152) investigates the relevancy of nurses' and physicians' capability to ensure the patient's autonomy (expressed by a living will) and care for the patient. In their vignette-stories' assessments and answers to additional questions nurses and physicians judge that both values, autonomy and care, are essential.