A Study on the Degree of Moral Distress of Nurses in a City

일 지역 간호사의 도덕적 고뇌 정도

Purpose: This study was carried out to understand the degree of moral distress of nurses and to provide scientific data for searching measures to efficiently manage their moral distress. Method: The survey was conducted with 302 nurses at the general hospital in City D by using the self-report type of questionnaire composed of 66 questions of 5-point Likert scale in four dimensions. Result: The mean scores of moral distress of nurses showed higher than average in all four dimensions: $80.54{\pm}14.82$ of 150 in the situational dimension, $52.99{\pm}9.98$ of 90 in the cognitive dimension, $13.30{\pm}2.85$ of 25 in the behavioral dimension, and $48.06{\pm}7.76$ of 65 in the emotional dimension. In addition, moral stress of each factor in the situational area showed $34.20{\pm}7.27$ in negative medical behavior, $10.98{\pm}2.53$ in lack of respect for autonomy of patients, excessive economic burden $10.86{\pm}2.94$, $7.40{\pm}1.89$ in irrational organizational administration and $17.10{\pm}3.50$ in negative nursing behavior. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop the intervention program to help nurses to reduce their moral distress since its degree showed considerably high.