Moral Distress Assessment in the Nursing Team of a Hematology-Oncology Sector

Abstract

Objective: To identify the frequency and intensity of Moral Distress, and to analyze the associations between Moral Distress and sociodemographic and labor characteristics of the nursing team of a Hematology-Oncology. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 46 nursing professionals from a Hematology-Oncology sector of a hospital institution in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, through the application of the Moral Distress Scale - Brazilian version. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics and nonparametric association tests were used. Results: Mortal Distress intensity of 3.27 (SD= 1.79) and frequency of 1.72 (SD= 1.02) were found in this team. The Moral Distress of greater intensity and frequency were related to the denial of the role of Nursing as a patient's advocate and the disrespect to the patient's autonomy, respectively. Conclusion: It is suggested a greater space for discussion among professionals, multiprofessional team and managers, so that adequate conditions of action and communication are provided.

Generating situations of Moral Distress in Primary Care Nurses

“…In Brazil, MD studies have been developed with some variations of approaches, such as bibliographic reviews, methodological studies, reflection, validation, quantitative research and qualitative research (3,(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) . Thus, it is evident the importance of understanding the process of MD in the different contexts of the nurse's performance.…”

“…The studies presented in the international and national literature mostly portray MD in the hospital setting in its various areas of specialties (7,(11)(12)(13)(14) . However, Brazil is governed by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS -Sistema Único de Saúde), which has in Primary Health Care its axis of the Health Care Networks (RAS -Redes de Atenção à Saúde) and access to services.…”

Nurses and physicians’ perception of the care of oncology patients in the emergency department

“…Data reveal that cancer was the cause of 189,454 deaths in 2013, and, for 2018 and 2019, it estimates that more than 600 thousand new cases of the disease would occur in the country (2) , many of whom would seek assistance in the emergency services. This perspective highlights cancer as one of the most significant challenges on the world scene and, therefore, constitutes an important public health problem (3) .…”

Repercussões da Covid-19 na saúde mental dos trabalhadores de enfermagem

“…Quando há exposição excessiva aos estressores, pode haver progressão para um processo crônico, levando o indivíduo a desenvolver a Síndrome de Burnout (6,18) . Essa síndrome pode ser desencadeada, principalmente, em indivíduos que desenvolvem seu trabalho atendendo a pessoas em contato direto (19) , por exemplo, a equipe de enfermagem. Ainda, quando o indivíduo não consegue utilizar estratégias para enfrentar os estressores, acaba adoecendo (3) .…”

“…Somado a isso, à medida que os trabalhadores de enfermagem se deparam com os estressores laborais, ficam sujeitos ao aumento da exaustão emocional (19) . Assim, muitas vezes, o indivíduo não percebe que está com a síndrome, ou seja, trabalha adoecido e, com isso, a interface entre saúde do trabalhador e segurança do paciente fica comprometida (3,6,19) .…”