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Moral distress in end-of-life situations in pediatric intensive care units: concept development

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Author(s):
Michelle Freire Baliza
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Enfermagem (EE/SBD)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Regina Szylit; Ana Marcia Chiaradia Mendes Castillo; Maria Helena Pereira Franco; Maiara Rodrigues dos Santos; Graziela de Araujo Costa Zanatta
Advisor: Regina Szylit
Abstract

Introduction: Although the concept of moral suffering has been defined more than 30 years ago, there are a variety of definitions about the concept and there is no consensus on the main features of the phenomenon. Although this variation is common when concepts are first explored, such variability substantially hinders the construction of a coherent body of knowledge. Objective: To develop the concept of moral suffering in end-of-life situations in pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) and to identify antecedents, attributes and consequences of the phenomenon. Method: The Hybrid Concepts Development Model was applied - in its three phases: Theoretical, Field and Final Analytic. In the Theoretical Phase, 18 studies were analyzed that described the moral suffering in the situations of end of life in the context of the PICU. The Field Phase was conducted through semi-structured interviews, with ten nurses and nine physicians working in the PICU. The data of the Field Phase were analyzed using the results of the Theoretical Phase as theoretical axis and the Thematic Analysis as a methodological reference. In the Final Analytical Phase, the results of the Theoretical and Field phases were compared, analyzed and integrated, allowing a definition of the concept. Results: The data show that moral suffering in end-of-life situations in the ICU is the professional feeling unable to act, to perform actions that the professional perceives as inadequate and to manifest emotional changes in the face of the unrealistic goals imposed by their internal beliefs and conflicts. Moral suffering can have negative consequences, such as the desire to leave the profession, and / or positive, such as creating coping strategies - that have repercussions on the professional and personal life of the professional. Final considerations: The hybrid approach offered an advance in the exploration of the concept of moral suffering in end-of-life situations in the PICU, when investigating the phenomenon in clinical practice. Identifying empirical aspects of a personal, subjective, abstract concept such as moral suffering is a complex process. However, through the Field Phase, it was possible to identify the experiential component that is behind the behavior of professionals before the moral problems in end-of-life situations in the PICU. In this way, it was possible to understand how the concept develops in clinical practice, allowing the amplification of the data identified in the Theoretical Phase. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/15829-0 - The nurse's moral distress in end-of-life situations in intensive care units: developing the concept
Grantee:Michelle Freire Baliza
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate