Understanding Moral Distress among Eldercare Workers: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Western populations are aging, increasing demand for social and health services.
• Eldercare employees face moral distress, negatively impacting work ability.
• Understanding moral distress in eldercare is crucial for workforce sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing studies on the causes and consequences of moral distress among eldercare workers.
• To identify interventions aimed at mitigating moral distress in this population.
• To highlight research gaps in eldercare moral distress.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a scoping review of fourteen studies.
• Included qualitative studies exploring morally challenging situations.
• Included quantitative, cross-sectional studies with small sample sizes.

Main Results:

• No reliable evidence of causal links between moral distress and worker well-being in eldercare was found.
• Most studies were qualitative, offering insights but not causal data.
• No interventions targeting moral distress in eldercare workers were identified.

Conclusions:

• Further research is essential to understand the causes and consequences of moral distress in eldercare.
• Developing and testing interventions is critical for eldercare worker well-being.
• Addressing moral distress can enhance eldercare's attractiveness and workforce sustainability.