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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

Moral distress and its contribution to the development of burnout syndrome among critical care providers

Authors: Renata Rego Lins Fumis, Gustavo Adolpho Junqueira Amarante, Andréia de Fátima Nascimento, José Mauro Vieira Junior

Published in: Annals of Intensive Care | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

Burnout appears to be common among critical care providers. It is characterized by three components: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment. Moral distress is the inability of a moral agent to act according to his or her core values and perceived obligations due to internal and external constraints. We aimed to estimate the correlation between moral distress and burnout among all intensive care unit (ICU) and the step-down unit (SDU) providers (physicians, nurses, nurse technicians and respiratory therapists).

Methods

A survey was conducted from August to September 2015. For data collection, a self-administered questionnaire for each critical care provider was used including basic demographic data, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Moral Distress Scale-Revised (MDS-R). Correlation analysis between MBI domains and moral distress score and regression analysis to assess independent variables associated with burnout were performed.

Results

A total of 283 out of 389 (72.7%) critical care providers agreed to participate. The same team of physicians attended both ICU and SDU, and severe burnout was identified in 18.2% of them. Considering all others critical care providers of both units, we identified that overall 23.1% (95% CI 18.0–28.8%) presented severe burnout, and it did not differ between professional categories. The mean MDS-R rate for all ICU and SDU respondents was 111.5 and 104.5, respectively, p = 0.446. Many questions from MDS-R questionnaire were significantly associated with burnout, and those respondents with high MDS-R score (>100 points) were more likely to suffer from burnout (28.9 vs 14.4%, p = 0.010). After regression analysis, moral distress was independently associated with burnout (OR 2.4, CI 1.19–4.82, p = 0.014).

Conclusions

Moral distress, resulting from therapeutic obstinacy and the provision of futile care, is an important issue among critical care providers’ team, and it was significantly associated with severe burnout.

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Title: Moral distress and its contribution to the development of burnout syndrome among critical care providers
Authors: Renata Rego Lins Fumis
Gustavo Adolpho Junqueira Amarante
Andréia de Fátima Nascimento
José Mauro Vieira Junior
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Annals of Intensive Care / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 2110-5820
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-017-0293-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Moral distress and its contribution to the development of burnout syndrome among critical care providers

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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