What is 'moral distress'? A narrative synthesis of the literature.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

The aim of this narrative synthesis was to explore the necessary and sufficient conditions required to define moral distress.

Background

Moral distress is said to occur when one has made a moral judgement but is unable to act upon it. However, problems with this narrow conception have led to multiple redefinitions in the empirical and conceptual literature. As a consequence, much of the research exploring moral distress has lacked conceptual clarity, complicating attempts to study the phenomenon.

Design

Systematic literature review and narrative synthesis (November 2015-March 2016).

Data sources

Ovid MEDLINE^® In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations 1946-Present, PsycINFO^® 1967-Present, CINAHL^® Plus 1937-Present, EMBASE 197

SUBMITTER: Morley G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6506903 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature