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Morally Distressing Experiences, Moral Injury, and Burnout in Florida Healthcare Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Lourdes P. Dale

    (Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA)

  • Steven P. Cuffe

    (Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA)

  • Nicola Sambuco

    (Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA)

  • Andrea D. Guastello

    (Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA)

  • Kalie G. Leon

    (Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA)

  • Luciana V. Nunez

    (Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA)

  • Amal Bhullar

    (Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA)

  • Brandon R. Allen

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA)

  • Carol A. Mathews

    (Department of Psychiatry, Center for OCD, Anxiety and Related Disorders, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA)

Abstract

Because healthcare providers may be experiencing moral injury (MI), we inquired about their healthcare morally distressing experiences (HMDEs), MI perpetrated by self (Self MI) or others (Others MI), and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 265 healthcare providers in North Central Florida (81.9% female, M age = 37.62) recruited via flyers and emailed brochures that completed online surveys monthly for four months. Logistic regression analyses investigated whether MI was associated with specific HMDEs, risk factors (demographic characteristics, prior mental/medical health adversity, COVID-19 protection concern, health worry, and work impact), protective factors (personal resilience and leadership support), and psychiatric symptomatology (depression, anxiety, and PTSD). Linear regression analyses explored how Self/Others MI, psychiatric symptomatology, and the risk/protective factors related to burnout. We found consistently high rates of MI and burnout, and that both Self and Others MI were associated with specific HMDEs, COVID-19 work impact, COVID-19 protection concern, and leadership support. Others MI was also related to prior adversity, nurse role, COVID-19 health worry, and COVID-19 diagnosis. Predictors of burnout included Self MI, depression symptoms, COVID-19 work impact, and leadership support. Hospital administrators/supervisors should recognize the importance of supporting the HCPs they supervise, particularly those at greatest risk of MI and burnout.

Suggested Citation

  • Lourdes P. Dale & Steven P. Cuffe & Nicola Sambuco & Andrea D. Guastello & Kalie G. Leon & Luciana V. Nunez & Amal Bhullar & Brandon R. Allen & Carol A. Mathews, 2021. "Morally Distressing Experiences, Moral Injury, and Burnout in Florida Healthcare Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12319-:d:686386
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    Cited by:

    1. Benjamin H. Nam & Hans-Jörg Luitgar Weber & Yuanyuan Liu & Alexander Scott English, 2022. "The ‘Myth of Zero-COVID’ Nation: A Digital Ethnography of Expats’ Survival Amid Shanghai Lockdown during the Omicron Variant Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-16, July.

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