Moral Distress Model Reconstructed Using Grounded Theory.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Ethics
• Qualitative Research Methodology

Background:

• Nurse burnout and shortages are linked to moral distress.
• Understanding moral distress is critical for improving Taiwan's clinical ethical climate and nursing retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reconstruct the model of moral distress using grounded theory.

Main Methods:

• Grounded theory analysis of intensive interviews with 25 staff nurses in Taiwan.
• Participants were recruited from adult, pediatric, acute, critical, and end-of-life care units.

Main Results:

• Nurses' moral values influence their response to clinical events, potentially leading to moral distress.
• Key sources of moral distress in Taiwan include wasting National Health Insurance resources and Chinese culture.
• Self-confidence and heterodox skills were identified as factors promoting moral efficacy and action.

Conclusions:

• The developed moral distress model can inform future nursing theories and interventions.
• Encouraging case studies for nursing students can enhance moral values, cognition, and judgment.
• Addressing moral distress is crucial for retaining staff nurses and improving the nursing profession.