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Moral distress in nursing practice in Malawi
Veronica Mary Maluwa1, Judy Andre, Paul Ndebele
1Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi, Capital City, Lilongwe, Malawi. veronicamaluwa@yahoo.com
Nursing Ethics
|January 27, 2012
Summary
Nurses in Malawi experience moral distress due to inadequate resources and lack of respect. Enhancing awareness and support systems can improve nursing care quality.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Medical Ethics
- Qualitative Health Research
Background:
- Moral distress is a significant issue affecting healthcare professionals globally.
- Understanding its prevalence and contributing factors among nurses in low-income settings is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the existence, causes, and impact of moral distress among nurses in Lilongwe District, Malawi.
- To identify coping mechanisms and support systems utilized by morally distressed nurses.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research design.
- In-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 20 nurses.
- Thematic analysis of collected data.
Main Results:
- Nurses frequently experience moral distress, particularly concerning patient care.
- Key distressing factors include inadequate resources and lack of respect from various stakeholders.
- Nurses expressed a need for teamwork and ethics committees.
Conclusions:
- Moral distress is prevalent among nurses in Malawi, impacting their well-being and care delivery.
- Interventions focusing on resource improvement, fostering respect, and establishing support structures are recommended.
- Increased awareness and training are essential for nurses to recognize and manage moral distress effectively.
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