Quantifying Moral Distress Among Healthcare Leadership

To quantitatively compare moral distress (MD) across leadership job titles, settings, demographic characteristics, work responsibilities, and its impact on intent to leave.

MD is broadly explored among direct care providers, but there is a dearth of research comparing MD among multiple levels of healthcare leadership.

This secondary quantitative analysis presents phase one findings of a mixed-methods explanatory sequential study measuring leadership's MD in a multisite healthcare system, using the 27-item Measure of Moral Distress for Healthcare Professionals.

Findings revealed differences in MD among leadership by job title (P < 0.001), department (P < 0.001), and history of leaving a position (P < 0.001). The top morally distressing item across healthcare leadership included lack of resources, equipment, and bed capacity.

MD was highest among charge nurses/clinical supervisors. Findings highlight the need for a leader-specific MD scale to quantify the unique causes of MD in leaders.