| Title: |
Studying Moral Distress (MD) and Moral Injury (MI) Among Inpatient and Outpatient Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic ; International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine |
| Authors: |
Whitehead, Phyllis B.; Haisch, Carl E.; Hankey, Maria Stack; Mutcheson, Brock; DeWitt, Sarah A.; Stewart, Christi A.; Stewart, Jonathan D.; Bath, Jennifer L.; Boone, Sherry M.; Jileaeva, Ilona; Faulks, Emily R.; Musick, David W. |
| Publication Year: |
2023 |
| Collection: |
VTechWorks (VirginiaTech) |
| Subject Terms: |
COVID-19; Healthcare workers |
| Description: |
Background: COVID-19 increased moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI) among healthcare professionals (HCPs). MD and MI were studied among inpatient and outpatient HCPs during March 2022. Objectives: We sought to examine (1) the relationship between MD and MI; (2) the relationship between MD/MI and pandemic-related burnout and resilience; and (3) the degree to which HCPs experienced pandemic-related MD and MI based on their background. Methods: A survey was conducted to measure MD, MI, burnout, resilience, and intent to leave healthcare at 2 academic medical centers during a 4-week period. A convenience sample of 184 participants (physicians, nurses, residents, respiratory therapists, advanced practice providers) completed the survey. In this mixed-methods approach, researchers analyzed both quantitative and qualitative survey data and triangulated the findings. Results: There was a moderate association between MD and MI (r = .47, P < .001). Regression results indicated that burnout was significantly associated with both MD and MI (P = .02 and P < .001, respectively), while intent to leave was associated only with MD (P < .001). Qualitative results yielded 8 sources of MD and MI: workload, distrust, lack of teamwork/collaboration, loss of connection, lack of leadership, futile care, outside stressors, and vulnerability. Conclusions: While interrelated conceptually, MD and MI should be viewed as distinct constructs. HCPs were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with MD and MI being experienced by all HCP categories. Understanding the sources of MD and MI among HCPs could help to improve well-being and work satisfaction. ; Published version |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
Pages 1-18; application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
https://hdl.handle.net/10919/116433; https://doi.org/10.1177/00912174231205660; 2023 |
| DOI: |
10.1177/00912174231205660 |
| Availability: |
https://hdl.handle.net/10919/116433; https://doi.org/10.1177/00912174231205660 |
| Rights: |
In Copyright ; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.C558E791 |
| Database: |
BASE |