Investigating relationship between religious commitment and moral sensitivity in nurses working in ICU

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Medical Ethics
• Sociology of Religion

Background:

• Moral sensitivity is crucial for ethical decision-making in critical care.
• Understanding factors influencing nurses' moral sensitivity is vital for professional development.
• Religious commitment may play a role in shaping healthcare professionals' ethical perspectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between religious commitment and moral sensitivity.
• To assess the level of moral sensitivity among Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses.
• To explore potential correlations in nurses from western Iran.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study design was employed.
• Data collected using demographic, religious commitment, and moral sensitivity questionnaires.
• Nurses from ICU wards in two western Iranian cities participated.

Main Results:

• The mean score for religious commitment was 36.38 (SD=4.58).
• The mean score for moral sensitivity (MS) was 59.21 (SD=12.65).
• A significant majority (82.7%) of nurses demonstrated average moral sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The study provides baseline data on religious commitment and moral sensitivity in this nursing population.
• Further research is warranted to establish the precise nature of the relationship.
• Findings may inform ethical training and support for ICU nurses.