Moral Distress Assessment in the Nursing Team of a Hematology-Oncology Sector

Rev Bras Enferm. 2019 Feb;72(suppl 1):58-65. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0408.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To identify the frequency and intensity of Moral Distress, and to analyze the associations between Moral Distress and sociodemographic and labor characteristics of the nursing team of a Hematology-Oncology.

Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 46 nursing professionals from a Hematology-Oncology sector of a hospital institution in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, through the application of the Moral Distress Scale - Brazilian version. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics and nonparametric association tests were used.

Results: Mortal Distress intensity of 3.27 (SD= 1.79) and frequency of 1.72 (SD= 1.02) were found in this team. The Moral Distress of greater intensity and frequency were related to the denial of the role of Nursing as a patient's advocate and the disrespect to the patient's autonomy, respectively.

Conclusion: It is suggested a greater space for discussion among professionals, multiprofessional team and managers, so that adequate conditions of action and communication are provided.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hematology / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology*
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / standards
  • Oncology Nursing / methods
  • Patient Care Team / standards*
  • Patient Care Team / trends
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires