Maura Lusignani1, Maria Lorella Giannì2, Luca Giuseppe Re3, Maria Luisa Buffon4,5. 1. Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 2. Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, NICU, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 3. Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 4. Ospedale Cà Foncello, Azienda ULSS 9, Treviso, Italy. 5. Provincial College of Nurses, Treviso, Italy.
Abstract
AIM: To assess the frequency, intensity and level of moral distress perceived by nurses working in medical, surgical and intensive care units. BACKGROUND: Moral distress among nurses compromises their ability to provide optimal patient care and may cause them to leave their job. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 283 registered nurses was conducted to evaluate the frequency, intensity and levels of moral distress. A revised version of the Moral Distress Scale (MDS-R) was used. RESULTS: The highest level of moral distress was associated with the provision of treatments and aggressive care that were not expected to benefit the patients and the competency of the health-care providers. Multivariate regression showed that nurses working in medical settings, nurses with lower levels of experience working in medical, surgical or intensive care settings, and nurses who intend to leave their job experienced the highest levels of moral distress. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that nurses experience an overall moderate level of moral distress. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Gaining further insight into the issue of moral distress among nurses and the clinical situations that most frequently cause this distress will enable development of strategies to reduce moral distress and to improve nurse satisfaction and, consequently, patient care.
AIM: To assess the frequency, intensity and level of moral distress perceived by nurses working in medical, surgical and intensive care units. BACKGROUND: Moral distress among nurses compromises their ability to provide optimal patient care and may cause them to leave their job. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 283 registered nurses was conducted to evaluate the frequency, intensity and levels of moral distress. A revised version of the Moral Distress Scale (MDS-R) was used. RESULTS: The highest level of moral distress was associated with the provision of treatments and aggressive care that were not expected to benefit the patients and the competency of the health-care providers. Multivariate regression showed that nurses working in medical settings, nurses with lower levels of experience working in medical, surgical or intensive care settings, and nurses who intend to leave their job experienced the highest levels of moral distress. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that nurses experience an overall moderate level of moral distress. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Gaining further insight into the issue of moral distress among nurses and the clinical situations that most frequently cause this distress will enable development of strategies to reduce moral distress and to improve nurse satisfaction and, consequently, patient care.
Authors: Christine A Fortney; Mercedes Pratt; Zackery D O Dunnells; Joseph R Rausch; Olivia E Clark; Amy E Baughcum; Cynthia A Gerhardt Journal: Nurs Res Date: 2020 Mar/Apr Impact factor: 2.381
Authors: Sarah Rosenwohl-Mack; Daniel Dohan; Thea Matthews; Jason Neil Batten; Elizabeth Dzeng Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2020-10-27 Impact factor: 5.128