Translational bioethics in nursing: a conceptual review of definitions, applications and ethical implications
Abstract Background Bioethics is fundamental in healthcare, guiding ethical decision-making and patient care. Translational bioethics (TB) aims to bridge the gap between ethical theories and real-world practice, including nursing. However, the concept of TB has not been clearly examined yet. Therefo...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | BMC Medical Ethics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01264-8 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849389577560653824 |
|---|---|
| author | Frederick Acheampong Nimo Abigail Gyamfi-Samakome Esther Naana Gyan Richard Argoh Godson Obeng Ofori Patience Fakornam Doe Christian Makafui Boso |
| author_facet | Frederick Acheampong Nimo Abigail Gyamfi-Samakome Esther Naana Gyan Richard Argoh Godson Obeng Ofori Patience Fakornam Doe Christian Makafui Boso |
| author_sort | Frederick Acheampong Nimo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Bioethics is fundamental in healthcare, guiding ethical decision-making and patient care. Translational bioethics (TB) aims to bridge the gap between ethical theories and real-world practice, including nursing. However, the concept of TB has not been clearly examined yet. Therefore, this concept analysis was done to provide clarity and practical meaning to the concept of translational bioethics within the context of nursing. Methods Walker and Avant’s concept analysis framework was employed to examine TB and apply it to nursing practice. A systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and PubMed Central, was conducted. Papers were screened and twenty-five eligible full-text records included in analysis. Results The analysis identified four key defining attributes of TB, including bridging the theory-practice gap, ethical evaluation and decision making, interdisciplinary collaboration, social responsibility and societal impact. Antecedents included ethical dilemmas, identifying theory-practice gaps, and commitment to real-world impact. The consequences of TB encompassed improved patient care, reduction of ethical conflicts, positive social impact, and informed policy and decision making. Conclusions This study provided a clear conceptual model of TB, offering insights into its antecedents, attributes, and consequences. Translational bioethics can be defined as an approach that bridges ethical theory and practice through research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a focus on contextual ethical evaluation and decision making, aiming for socially responsible and impactful outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-74b1b8cd8d2f4009b7bd10ac2e9e77ea |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6939 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Ethics |
| spelling | doaj-art-74b1b8cd8d2f4009b7bd10ac2e9e77ea2025-08-20T03:41:56ZengBMCBMC Medical Ethics1472-69392025-07-012611910.1186/s12910-025-01264-8Translational bioethics in nursing: a conceptual review of definitions, applications and ethical implicationsFrederick Acheampong Nimo0Abigail Gyamfi-Samakome1Esther Naana Gyan2Richard Argoh3Godson Obeng Ofori4Patience Fakornam Doe5Christian Makafui Boso6Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape CoastDepartment of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape CoastDepartment of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape CoastDepartment of Public Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape CoastDepartment of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape CoastDepartment of Public Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape CoastDepartment of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape CoastAbstract Background Bioethics is fundamental in healthcare, guiding ethical decision-making and patient care. Translational bioethics (TB) aims to bridge the gap between ethical theories and real-world practice, including nursing. However, the concept of TB has not been clearly examined yet. Therefore, this concept analysis was done to provide clarity and practical meaning to the concept of translational bioethics within the context of nursing. Methods Walker and Avant’s concept analysis framework was employed to examine TB and apply it to nursing practice. A systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and PubMed Central, was conducted. Papers were screened and twenty-five eligible full-text records included in analysis. Results The analysis identified four key defining attributes of TB, including bridging the theory-practice gap, ethical evaluation and decision making, interdisciplinary collaboration, social responsibility and societal impact. Antecedents included ethical dilemmas, identifying theory-practice gaps, and commitment to real-world impact. The consequences of TB encompassed improved patient care, reduction of ethical conflicts, positive social impact, and informed policy and decision making. Conclusions This study provided a clear conceptual model of TB, offering insights into its antecedents, attributes, and consequences. Translational bioethics can be defined as an approach that bridges ethical theory and practice through research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a focus on contextual ethical evaluation and decision making, aiming for socially responsible and impactful outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01264-8Concept analysisEthical decision-makingInterdisciplinary collaborationNursing ethicsTheory-practice gapTranslational bioethics |
| spellingShingle | Frederick Acheampong Nimo Abigail Gyamfi-Samakome Esther Naana Gyan Richard Argoh Godson Obeng Ofori Patience Fakornam Doe Christian Makafui Boso Translational bioethics in nursing: a conceptual review of definitions, applications and ethical implications BMC Medical Ethics Concept analysis Ethical decision-making Interdisciplinary collaboration Nursing ethics Theory-practice gap Translational bioethics |
| title | Translational bioethics in nursing: a conceptual review of definitions, applications and ethical implications |
| title_full | Translational bioethics in nursing: a conceptual review of definitions, applications and ethical implications |
| title_fullStr | Translational bioethics in nursing: a conceptual review of definitions, applications and ethical implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Translational bioethics in nursing: a conceptual review of definitions, applications and ethical implications |
| title_short | Translational bioethics in nursing: a conceptual review of definitions, applications and ethical implications |
| title_sort | translational bioethics in nursing a conceptual review of definitions applications and ethical implications |
| topic | Concept analysis Ethical decision-making Interdisciplinary collaboration Nursing ethics Theory-practice gap Translational bioethics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01264-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT frederickacheampongnimo translationalbioethicsinnursingaconceptualreviewofdefinitionsapplicationsandethicalimplications AT abigailgyamfisamakome translationalbioethicsinnursingaconceptualreviewofdefinitionsapplicationsandethicalimplications AT esthernaanagyan translationalbioethicsinnursingaconceptualreviewofdefinitionsapplicationsandethicalimplications AT richardargoh translationalbioethicsinnursingaconceptualreviewofdefinitionsapplicationsandethicalimplications AT godsonobengofori translationalbioethicsinnursingaconceptualreviewofdefinitionsapplicationsandethicalimplications AT patiencefakornamdoe translationalbioethicsinnursingaconceptualreviewofdefinitionsapplicationsandethicalimplications AT christianmakafuiboso translationalbioethicsinnursingaconceptualreviewofdefinitionsapplicationsandethicalimplications |