Moral distress: a consequence of caring

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Ethics
• Nursing Practice
• Oncology

Background:

• Technological advancements in healthcare increase ethical dilemmas for oncology nurses.
• Nurses face conflicts between ethical principles and external pressures, leading to moral distress.
• Moral distress negatively affects oncology nurses' mental health, job satisfaction, and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the concept of moral distress in oncology nursing.
• To identify the impact of moral distress on nurses and patient care.
• To suggest interventions and future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on moral distress in oncology nursing.
• Analysis of ethical conflicts and their impact on nurses.
• Synthesis of existing research and identification of intervention strategies.

Main Results:

• Moral distress is a significant issue for oncology nurses.
• It arises from ethical conflicts concerning aggressive interventions for cancer patients.
• Consequences include adverse effects on nurses' mental health and job satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Understanding and addressing moral distress is crucial for oncology nurses.
• Interventions are needed to mitigate its negative impact on nurses and patient care.
• Further research is recommended to develop effective support strategies.