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Moral Distress of Intensive Care Nurses: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Two Years after the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Debora Rosa

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano-IRCCS, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149 Milan, Italy)

  • Loris Bonetti

    (Department of Nursing, Nursing Research Centre, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
    Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, 6928 Manno, Switzerland)

  • Giulia Villa

    (Center for Nursing Research and Innovation, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Sara Allieri

    (Center for Nursing Research and Innovation, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Riccardo Baldrighi

    (Center for Nursing Research and Innovation, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Rolando Francesco Elisei

    (Ospedale San Giuseppe Gruppo Multimedica, Nursing Degree Course, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Paola Ripa

    (Ospedale San Giuseppe Gruppo Multimedica, Nursing Degree Course, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Noemi Giannetta

    (School of Nursing, UniCamillus—Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy)

  • Carla Amigoni

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano-IRCCS, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149 Milan, Italy)

  • Duilio Fiorenzo Manara

    (Center for Nursing Research and Innovation, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed great pressure on healthcare facilities, exposing healthcare professionals to various challenges that may result in the onset of moral distress, a condition of psychological distress caused by the inability to act as it would be most morally appropriate. The purpose of this research was to investigate the experience lived by nurses who worked in an intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a phenomenological study using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Sixteen nurses who worked in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit of Northern Italian Hospitals from January to April 2022 were selected through purposive sampling. Data on experiences, thoughts, and symptoms were collected through semi-structured interviews with in-person and remote modalities. Results: Five themes and fourteen subthemes emerged from the study. The themes are: (1) pride, isolation, and fear; (2) teamwork and organisation; (3) moral/ethical aspect; (4) true heroes; and (5) dignity. Conclusions: This study highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intensive care unit nurses. It has emerged that the risk of moral distress is high among healthcare workers in the front line of the fight against the virus. This condition should be avoided and managed through early psychological interventions, sharing of experiences, and a good organization that supports decision-making and professional well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Debora Rosa & Loris Bonetti & Giulia Villa & Sara Allieri & Riccardo Baldrighi & Rolando Francesco Elisei & Paola Ripa & Noemi Giannetta & Carla Amigoni & Duilio Fiorenzo Manara, 2022. "Moral Distress of Intensive Care Nurses: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Two Years after the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:15057-:d:973859
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Serena Barello & Anna Falcó-Pegueroles & Debora Rosa & Angela Tolotti & Guendalina Graffigna & Loris Bonetti, 2020. "The psychosocial impact of flu influenza pandemics on healthcare workers and lessons learnt for the COVID-19 emergency: a rapid review," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(7), pages 1205-1216, September.
    2. Colette Balice-Bourgois & Loris Bonetti & Angela Tolotti & Sarah Jayne Liptrott & Michele Villa & Corina Elena Luca & Laura Maria Steiner & Annette Biegger & Silvia Goncalves & Laura Moser & Antonio P, 2022. "Experiences and Needs of Patients, Caregivers and Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Study Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Multicentre Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-9, October.
    3. Michele Villa & Colette Balice-Bourgois & Angela Tolotti & Anna Falcó-Pegueroles & Serena Barello & Elena Corina Luca & Luca Clivio & Annette Biegger & Dario Valcarenghi & Loris Bonetti, 2021. "Ethical Conflict and Its Psychological Correlates among Hospital Nurses in the Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study within Swiss COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Wards," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Shameena Gill & Alia Maisara Adenan & Adli Ali & Noor Akmal Shareela Ismail, 2022. "Living through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact and Lessons on Dietary Behavior and Physical Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-23, January.
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