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Moral Distress and Burnout in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Providers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Carletto

    (Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, TO, Italy
    Clinical Psychology Unit, A.O.U. City of Health and Science of Torino, 10126 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Maria Chiara Ariotti

    (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of University of Torino, Sant’Anna Hospital, City of Health and Science, 10126 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Giulia Garelli

    (Clinical Psychology Unit, A.O.U. City of Health and Science of Torino, 10126 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Ludovica Di Noto

    (Formerly at the School of Medicine, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Paola Berchialla

    (Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Francesca Malandrone

    (Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Roberta Guardione

    (Neonatal Care Unit, City of Health and Science University Hospital of Torino, 10126 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Floriana Boarino

    (Neonatal Care Unit, Santa Croce Hospital ASL TO5, 10024 Moncalieri, TO, Italy)

  • Maria Francesca Campagnoli

    (Neonatal Care Unit, City of Health and Science University Hospital of Torino, 10126 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Patrizia Savant Levet

    (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maria Vittoria Hospital, ASL Città di Torino, 10144 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Enrico Bertino

    (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of University of Torino, Sant’Anna Hospital, City of Health and Science, 10126 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Luca Ostacoli

    (Clinical Psychology Unit, A.O.U. City of Health and Science of Torino, 10126 Turin, TO, Italy
    Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, 10043 Turin, TO, Italy)

  • Alessandra Coscia

    (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of University of Torino, Sant’Anna Hospital, City of Health and Science, 10126 Turin, TO, Italy)

Abstract

Moral distress (MD) in healthcare providers is widely recognized as a serious issue in critical care contexts. It has the potential to have negative impacts on both personal and professional wellbeing, the quality of care provided and staff turnover. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between MD and burnout among neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) healthcare professionals and identify the possible factors associated with its occurrence. Participants were asked to complete an online survey, which covered sociodemographic and professional information and included two self-report questionnaires (Italian Moral Distress Scale-Revised and Maslach Burnout Inventory). The sample comprised 115 healthcare providers (nurses and physiotherapists: 66.1%; physicians: 30.4%; healthcare assistants: 3.5%) working in four NICUs located within the province of Turin, Italy. The results revealed overall low levels of MD, with no significant differences between nurses/physiotherapists and physicians. Nurses/physiotherapists showed a statistically significant higher percentage of personal accomplishment burnout (32.9%) compared with physicians (8.6%; p = 0.012). MD was associated with the emotional exhaustion dimension of burnout. Spirituality and/or religiousness was shown to be a moderating variable. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of the correlation between MD and burnout and the role of spirituality and/or religiousness as moderators.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Carletto & Maria Chiara Ariotti & Giulia Garelli & Ludovica Di Noto & Paola Berchialla & Francesca Malandrone & Roberta Guardione & Floriana Boarino & Maria Francesca Campagnoli & Patrizia Savant, 2022. "Moral Distress and Burnout in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Providers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8526-:d:861177
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chiara Grasso & Davide Massidda & Karolina Zaneta Maslak & Cinzia Favara-Scacco & Francesco Antonio Grasso & Carmela Bencivenga & Valerio Confalone & Elisabetta Lampugnani & Andrea Moscatelli & Marta , 2022. "Moral Distress in Healthcare Providers Who Take Care of Critical Pediatric Patients throughout Italy—Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Italian Pediatric Instrument," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-19, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dominik Hinzmann & Katharina Schütte-Nütgen & Arndt Büssing & Olaf Boenisch & Hans-Jörg Busch & Christoph Dodt & Patrick Friederich & Matthias Kochanek & Guido Michels & Eckhard Frick, 2022. "Critical Care Providers’ Moral Distress: Frequency, Burden, and Potential Resources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.

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