The relationship between moral distress and perception of futile care in the critical care unit.
OBJECTIVE
Study the relationship between moral distress (MD) and futile care in the critical care unit (CCU).


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey consisting of 38 clinical situations associated with MD related to 6 categories: physician practice, nursing practice, institutional factors, futile care, deception and euthanasia was distributed to 100 nurses at a single CCU. The intensity and frequency of MD were scored with Likert scale: 0-lowest and 6-highest.


RESULTS
The survey was completed by 44 (44%) nurses. Median age was 33 years, 80% females. Median intensity of MD was high for the six categories and had no relationship with age, time in CCU or nursing practice. The encounter frequency of MD for futile care was the highest and was significantly related to age >33 years (p=0.03), time in CCU >4 years (p=0.04) and nursing practice >7 years (p=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
MD associated with clinical situations representing futile care increased with time in CCU. Future interventions are required to minimize the exposure to futile care situations and develop mechanisms to mitigate the effects of MD in the CCU.
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic Hospital, 5777 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.
Melinda J
MJ
Mobley
Mohamed Y
MY
Rady
Joseph L
JL
Verheijde
Bhavesh
B
Patel
Joel S
JS
Larson
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003422:Critical Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D008192:Deception; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018447:Medical Futility / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009014:Morals; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires