Interviews
The narrative interviews were carried out in two lots. Interviews with seven RNs and five physicians were
performed in 2003. The richness of all the narratives led to the physicians’ interviews being analysed first,1
while analysis of the interviews with nurses could not be done immediately. However, the experiences from
the clinic showed that the conflicts remained despite a few ethical consultations and regulations concerning
end-of-life care when patients wished to withdraw from life-support treatment. It means that a turning-point
dialogue between the patient and physician shall be initiated.21 Three interviews with RNs were carried out
in 2011 and showed that the narratives concerned similar ethical problems. This called for a more thorough
analysis concerning the core of the RNs’ experiences. The interviews were conducted individually by the
first author in a private room at the hospital unit and lasted for 25–65 min. The participants were asked to
narrate at least one ethically difficult situation experienced on the dialysis ward that had led to their having a
troubled conscience. The interviews were open-ended, held as far as possible without interruptions and
included follow-up questions such as ‘How did you feel?’ or ‘What did you do then?’ when clarification
was needed. The audio recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, including indications of sighs,
silences and laughs.