Moral Distress in Physicians and Nurses: Impact on Professional Quality of Life and Turnover

This study, published in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, investigated moral distress and turnover intent as related to professional quality of life in physicians and nurses at a tertiary care hospital. Health care providers from a variety of hospital departments anonymously completed 2 validated questionnaires (Moral Distress Scale–Revised and Professional Quality of Life Scale), and relationships between these constructs and clinicians’ years in health care, critical care patient load, and professional discipline were explored. Findings demonstrated significant correlations between secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and moral distress. Intentions to leave or stay in a position were indicative of high verses low moral distress. The results suggest that the presence of moral distress significantly impacts turnover intent and professional quality of life.