Master students view to EthCo project

I am a master’s degree student here at Turku University of Applied Sciences. Our research group’s main focus is Developing better health care in a hybrid world. As a part of my studies, I have the chance to take part in the projects that our research group has. EthCo was one I knew right away that I wanted to learn more about.

As a student there has been a lot to learn. From the workings on how a project goes forward, the different working stages and how each person’s role drives the project forward. How to lead the project meetings, presenting middle point evaluations and reports, meeting the planned goals and representing results.

EthCo has the goal to provide educational coaching material to strengthen ethical competence of health care professionals. As a result, the participants could continue to act as coaches in their own workplace and educate others to ensure ethical safety in their workplace.

When going through the learning material I ended up wishing there was the chance to take part in the course and intensive week. The learning material includes theory courses, lectures, podcasts, simulation cases and a platform to share your thoughts with your peers. I believe those shared conversations will be cherished by many.

Unethical conduct burdens healthcare work community and has an impact on employees’ occupational well-being. During my first years of working as a nurse there has been a nursing shortage, a global pandemic and many cooperations procedures. These all have had an impact on the already consumed health care workers. This all impacts how we take care of patients and how we train students and recent graduates at their new positions.

This tool could not arrive at a more perfect timing as now more than ever we know that patients need to be seen and cared for as a whole individual and not just as the illness or a symptom. As we need to find a way to change unhealthy working environments, ways of thinking and habits around.

As a student, a recent graduate or when you are starting in a new position you question yourself and what you know a lot. Sometimes it is hard to get your opinions heard and you are told just to lean on how things have been done. It takes a lot of courage to bring up the discussions and sometimes it might feel that there is no right time for it. It is also hard if the working environment and the people working in it are not ready to hear or discuss these things. I hope projects like this will help to change this. Make teams more willing to listen and give our future professionals the courage and permission to question how things have been done.

Because I still remember when I respected the” no” my patient told me just to hear the next shift had not. And I remember the time and how scared I felt as a student reporting the misconduct I witnessed.

I feel lucky to have had the chance to follow the EthCo project up close. Seeing passionate professionals in different fields building a platform to teach ethical safety. To ensure ethical care for patients and long-lasting careers for future professionals without the burden of having to work against your values.

Author: Anni-Stiina Räsänen, master’s degree student in Turku University of Applied Sciences