Many areas of healthcare involve controversial decisions or debates; these debates can become personal when they interfere or challenge the belief systems of participants. To hold an effective debate...

Many areas of healthcare involve controversial decisions or debates; these debates can become personal when they interfere or challenge the belief systems of participants. To hold an effective debate the process must therefore be structured and overseen by a chairperson or adjudicator; identify someone who has good ‘crowd control’ skills! For best effect your class should be split into two groups; if this isn’t possible, the same exercise can be reproduced using a few of your classroom colleagues. Group A will argue for and Group B against.

Can nurses who smoke engage in constructive relationships with patients wishing to ‘kick the habit’?

Points for consideration:

A nurse informs a patient and their family that quitting smoking is paramount to the patient’s long-term survival.

On their next visit the family see the nurse having a quick ‘fag’ break outside the ward.

Do you think the nurse would maintain her professional creditability or is this a conflict of interests?