Olu Awosoga1, Em M Pijl1, Brad Hagen1, Barry Hall2, Tolulope Sajobi3, Shannon Spenceley1. 1. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada. 2. Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Lethbridge, AB, Canada. 3. Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Abstract
AIMS: To report on the development and validation of the Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey instrument. BACKGROUND: Despite growing awareness of moral distress among nurses, little is known about the moral distress experiences of nursing staff in dementia care settings. To address this gap, our research team developed a tool for measuring the frequency, severity and effects of moral distress in nursing staff working in dementia care. DESIGN: The research team employed an exploratory sequential mixed method design to generate items for the moral distress questionnaire. Data were collected between January 2013 - June 2014. In this paper, we report on the development and validation of the Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey instrument. METHODS: The Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey instrument was piloted with a portion of the target population prior to a broader implementation. Appropriate statistical analyses and psychometric testing were completed. RESULTS: The team collected 389 completed surveys from registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and healthcare aides, representing a 43.6% response rate across 23 sites. The Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey emerged as a reliable and valid instrument to measure the frequency, severity and effects of moral distress for nursing staff in dementia care settings. The relative value of the Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey as a measurement instrument was superseded by its clinical relevance for dementia care staff. CONCLUSION: The Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey is a potentially useful tool for estimating the frequency, severity and effects of moral distress in nursing staff working in dementia care settings and for the evaluation of measures taken to mitigate moral distress.
AIMS: To report on the development and validation of the Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey instrument. BACKGROUND: Despite growing awareness of moral distress among nurses, little is known about the moral distress experiences of nursing staff in dementia care settings. To address this gap, our research team developed a tool for measuring the frequency, severity and effects of moral distress in nursing staff working in dementia care. DESIGN: The research team employed an exploratory sequential mixed method design to generate items for the moral distress questionnaire. Data were collected between January 2013 - June 2014. In this paper, we report on the development and validation of the Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey instrument. METHODS: The Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey instrument was piloted with a portion of the target population prior to a broader implementation. Appropriate statistical analyses and psychometric testing were completed. RESULTS: The team collected 389 completed surveys from registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and healthcare aides, representing a 43.6% response rate across 23 sites. The Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey emerged as a reliable and valid instrument to measure the frequency, severity and effects of moral distress for nursing staff in dementia care settings. The relative value of the Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey as a measurement instrument was superseded by its clinical relevance for dementia care staff. CONCLUSION: The Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey is a potentially useful tool for estimating the frequency, severity and effects of moral distress in nursing staff working in dementia care settings and for the evaluation of measures taken to mitigate moral distress.
Authors: Noemi Giannetta; Giulia Villa; Loris Bonetti; Sara Dionisi; Andrea Pozza; Stefano Rolandi; Debora Rosa; Duilio Fiorenzo Manara Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-26 Impact factor: 4.614