Moral distress and its contributing factors among emergency department nurses: A cross-sectional study in Iran. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Babamohamadi, Hassan; Bakuei Katrimi, Safieh; Paknazar, Fatemeh
• Is Part Of: International emergency nursing. Volume 56(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Moral distress -- Nurses -- Emergency -- Iran; Emergency nursing -- Periodicals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2021.100982
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-599X

Abstract

Highlights: MD is a common phenomenon and the most damaging ethical subject in the nursing profession. We found that nurses had moderate levels of MD. MD level was significantly higher in female nurses, under 30 years of age, with<10 years' work experience and with higher levels of education. MD had a negative and significant correlation with age and work experience of the nurses. Identifying and managing MD and its related factors are necessary to improve the quality of nursing care. Abstract: Background: Moral Distress (MD) is a common experience in nursing practice and constitutes one of the main reasons for professional burnout, job withdrawal, fatigue, and avoidance of patient care among nurses. The causes, frequency and severity of MD vary according to the ward and hospital of service. The present study was conducted to determine the frequency and severity of MD and its contributing factors among Emergency Department (ED) nurses in Iran. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019.A total of 203 participants were selected by census sampling from the 248 nurses working in the EDs of hospitals in Semnan Province, Iran. Data were collected using Corley's Moral Distress Scale-Revised and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: The mean severity and frequency of MD were 1.36 ± 0.74 and 1.20 ± 0.68 out of 4, respectively. The MD levels were significantly higher in female nurses (p = 0.002), those under 30 years of age (p = 0.003), with less than ten years' work experience (p = 0.03), and with higher levels of education (p < 0.001). In addition, inverse and significant relationships were found between MD and the nurses' age (r = −0.202, p = 0.004) and work experience(r = -0.149, p = 0.034). Conclusion: According to the results, nurses had moderate levels of MD. Numerous factors, including age, gender, work experience, and education, were associated with the total MD score.To reduce MD and its negative effects on nurses, it is necessary to address these factors and appropriately plan to identify and manage MD so as to improve the quality of nursing care.