Nurses and primary care service users: bioethics contribution to modify this professional relation

OBJECTIVE: To identify ethical issues experienced by nurses during their clinical practice in primary care settings and to explore ways to improve the nurse-patient ethical relationship. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 17 registered nurses from a Family Health Program in São Paulo City, Brazil. Data were analyzed through content analysis. RESULTS: Ethical issues in primary care settings are not serious and do not demand immediate attention. Ethical issues in these settings can be easily resolved through good nurse-patient relationship. CONCLUSION: The main ethical principles of autonomy, justice, and beneficence may contribute to better citizenship and health promotion.