Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Registered nurses' perceptions of moral distress and ethical climate.

Full Abstract

Moral distress is a phenomenon of increasing concern in nursing practice, education and research. Previous research has suggested that moral distress is associated with perceptions of ethical climate, which has implications for nursing practice and patient outcomes. In this study, a randomly selected sample of registered nurses was surveyed using Corley's Moral Distress Scale and Olson's Hospital Ethical Climate Survey (HECS). The registered nurses reported moderate levels of moral distress intensity. Moral distress intensity and frequency were found to be inversely correlated with perceptions of ethical climate. Each of the HECS factors (peers, patients, managers, hospitals and physicians) was found to be significantly correlated with moral distress. Based on these findings, we highlight insights for practice and future research that are needed to enhance the development of strategies aimed at improving the ethical climate of nurses' workplaces for the benefit of both nurses and patients.

Author information

Author/s: Pauly, Bernadette (B); Varcoe, Colleen (C); Storch, Janet (J); Newton, Lorelei (L);

Affiliation: University of Victoria, Victoria, BC Canada. bpauly(-atsign-)uvic.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Nursing ethics (Nurs Ethics), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 16 (issue 5) : pp 561-73

Dates: Created 2009/08/12; Completed 2009/10/29;

PMID: 19671643, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/29/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Aged Attitude of Health Personnel British Columbia Burnout, Professional - diagnosis; psychology Clinical Competence Cross-Sectional Studies Female Health Facility Environment - ethics; organization & administration Humans Interprofessional Relations Male

Male Middle Aged Morals Nursing Methodology Research Nursing Staff, Hospital - ethics; organization & administration; psychology Organizational Culture Qualitative Research Questionnaires Regression Analysis Severity of Illness Index Social Support Workplace - organization & administration; psychology

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