Interventions to Reduce Nurses' Moral Distress in the Intensive Care Unit An Integrative Review

Author

Johannah Hickey, St. John Fisher UniversityFollow

Date of Award/Publication

8-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. in Advanced Practice Nursing

First Supervisor

Tara L. Sacco PhD

Abstract

Background

Critical care nurses experience moral distress, the phenomenon of knowing the “right” thing to do but being unable to do so, at high rates; this contributes to attrition and has severe mental health impacts on nurses.

Objective

The purpose of this integrative review was to determine if interventions to reduce moral distress have an effect on intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' moral distress levels.

Methods

Three databases were searched, PubMed, APA PsycNet, and CINAHL, using the keywords “moral distress” AND nurs* AND reduc* AND (“intensive care” OR “critical care” OR ICU). Only experimental studies involving adult ICU nurses were included for a total of 6 studies.

Results

Interventions fell into 3 categories: (1) educational interventions, (2) interventions to enhance the ICU environment, and (3) interventions to help nurses cope. Two studies detailing educational interventions demonstrated some reduction in moral distress. One study aimed to improve the ICU environment and showed some statistically significant reduction in moral distress. All 6 studies included some focus on coping, and 2 showed statistically significant reductions in moral distress.

Discussion

Only a few studies have been conducted examining this issue. These studies had severe limitations, such as small sample sizes, attrition, and inadequate control groups. There were also few statistically significant results. These interventions should be reexamined using larger sample sizes, and other interventions should also be trialed. COVID-19 may have had a significant impact on this issue, and interventions may need to be refocused in the wake of the pandemic.

Comments

Published in Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, Volume 41, Issue 5 (Sept/Oct 2022)

doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000542

Recommended Citation

Hickey, Johannah, "Interventions to Reduce Nurses' Moral Distress in the Intensive Care Unit An Integrative Review" (2022). Nursing Masters. Paper 65.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/nursing_etd_masters/65

Please note that the Recommended Citation provides general citation information and may not be appropriate for your discipline. To receive help in creating a citation based on your discipline, please visit http://libguides.sjfc.edu/citations.