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The Role of Political Philosophy in Nursing and Health Justice:A Narrative Review
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Tahereh Ashktorab   , Zahra Jafari * |
| Department of Anesthesiology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran. Phd Student, Department of Nursing, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. |
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Abstract: (5 Views) |
Introduction: Nursing is often perceived as a profession grounded in care, empathy, and ethical responsibility; however, the reality is that nurses’ practice is shaped within political, social, and economic structures. Political philosophy, by offering concepts such as justice, power, and rights,provides an analytical framework for understanding the influence of politics on health systems and the role of nurses.
Methods: This study was conducted as a narrative review. A comprehensive search was performed in Magiran, SID, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from 2010 to 2025 using the keywords “political philosophy in nursing,” “nurse’s role,” “health justice,” and “health policy-making.” A total of 70 articles were initially identified, which were reduced to 38 after removing duplicates. Following title and abstract screening, 25 articles were selected for full-text evaluation, and ultimately 11 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis.
Results: Findings indicated that political philosophy plays an important role in explaining structural inequalities, professional hierarchies, and ethical challenges faced by nurses. Nurses’ political awareness is associated with policy participation, justice-oriented practice, ethical leadership, and social activism. Strengthening political literacy can also reduce job dissatisfaction caused by structural injustice and enhance professional empowerment.
Conclusion: Integrating political philosophy into nursing education and practice may help improve the quality of care and strengthen nurses’ professional roles. This approach can enhance nurses’ability to analyze policies, advocate for patients’ rights, and participate in reforming unjust structures. |
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| Keywords: Political philosophy in nursing, Nurse’s role, Health justice, Health policy-making |
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Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/12/15 | Accepted: 2026/07/23 | Published: 2026/09/27
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