Addressing Moral Distress: lessons Learnt from a Non-Interventional Longitudinal Study on Moral Distress

Abstract

Background: Moral distress is prevalent within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and can negatively affect clinicians. Studies have evaluated the causes of moral distress and interventions to mitigate its harmful effects. However, the effects of participating in moral distress studies have not been evaluated. Objective: To evaluate the impact of participation in a longitudinal, non-intervention research project on moral distress in the NICU. Design: Clinicians who previously participated in an 18-month longitudinal research study on moral distress at two NICUs were invited to complete a questionnaire on the impact of participation. The original study required regular completion of surv..