JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Implementation of the Dementia Isolation Toolkit in long-term care improves awareness but does not reduce moral distress amongst healthcare providers

  • 0KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Bmc Health Services Research +

|

April 18, 2024

|

April 18, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Healthcare providers experienced significant moral distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dementia Isolation Toolkit (DIT) showed limited impact on overall distress but improved self-awareness and perceived care quality.

Area Of Science

  • Healthcare Management
  • Medical Ethics
  • Geriatric Care

Background

  • Moral distress is a significant issue for healthcare providers, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Constraints in care delivery negatively impact provider mental health, leading to burnout and compassion fatigue.
  • Long-term care settings faced unique challenges during the pandemic, increasing provider moral distress.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To describe healthcare providers' experiences of moral distress in long-term care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To measure self-reported moral distress levels before and after implementing the Dementia Isolation Toolkit (DIT).
  • To assess the DIT's impact on alleviating moral distress and improving care quality.

Main Methods

  • Utilized the Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey and semi-structured interviews.
  • Measured subjective moral distress in providers across three long-term care homes.
  • Explored participants' workplace experiences and perceived intervention impact.

Main Results

  • Quantitative survey data showed no change in moral distress levels post-DIT implementation.
  • Interviews revealed persistent moral distress due to public health directives, staff shortages, and burnout.
  • Post-intervention interviews indicated improved self-awareness and reduced moral distress among DIT users, linked to enhanced person-centered care.

Conclusions

  • The study confirms the high prevalence of moral distress in long-term care, intensified by systemic pandemic-related factors.
  • While the DIT did not quantitatively reduce overall moral distress, it offered qualitative benefits in self-awareness and perceived care quality.
  • The Dementia Isolation Toolkit demonstrated limited impact on overall moral distress but supported person-centered care principles during the pandemic.

Keywords:

Related Concept Videos

Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting 01:29

885

Documentation in long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care for patients. Each setting has its specific documentation processes and tools:
Long-Term Care Facilities

• Purpose: Documentation in long-term care facilities is critical for interprofessional resident assessment and planning. It ensures that all aspects of a resident's care - from medical needs to daily living assistance - are thoroughly...

Ethical Issues 01:27

938

Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:

• Paternalism: Nurses often encounter situations where they must act without patient consent to safeguard their well-being or prevent harm. A common example occurs in cases of...

Ethical Dilemmas II 01:30

1.0K

Resolving an ethical dilemma in healthcare involves a systematic approach that considers every aspect of the issue, respecting both the patient's needs and values and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations. Here are potential steps to resolve an ethical dilemma:

Identify the ethical problem and dilemma: Begin by recognizing the presence of an ethical issue. An ethical dilemma arises when conflicting moral principles or values necessitate choosing between two or more equally...

Dementia 01:30

113

Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....

Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch 01:15

4.8K

The history of therapeutic communication can be traced back to Florence Nightingale, who emphasized the importance of developing trusting relationships with patients. She taught that the presence of nurses with patients results in therapeutic healing.
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...

Community Based Intervention 01:30

41

Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...