Influence of Information Literacy and Perception of Patient Data Privacy on Ethical Values among Hospital Clinical Nurses

병원간호사의 정보활용능력과 개인정보보호에 대한 인식이 윤리적 가치관에 미치는 영향

Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate clinical nurses' ethics germane to information literacy and perception of patient data privacy and thus help nurses to develop more positive and consolidated ethical values. Methods: For this study a descriptive survey design was used. Participants were 142 nurses who worked in a hospital and completed self-report questionnaires. Data were collected from August 1 to 5, 2016 and were analyzed using independent t-test, ANOVA, $Scheff{\acute{e}}$ test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS 22.0. Results: Ethical value had a positive correlation with information needs (r=.25, p=.002) in information literacy as well as in direct patient care (r=.27, p=.001), shift work (r=.20, p=.016), patient information management (r=.39, p<.001), and communication (r=.24, p=.004) in perception of patient data privacy. Patient information management, educational background, and age were significant variables predicting the level of ethical values and accounted for 21% of the variance. Conclusion: Ethical values education with particular emphasize on managing patient information should be encouraged for nurses who are younger and have a lower education level. Findings indicate a need for education programs to guide clinical nurses to utilize appropriate information when solving ethical challenges in every day nursing practice.