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Moral Distress among Frontline Physicians and Nurses in the Early Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

Author

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  • Marina Maffoni

    (Psychology Unit of Montescano Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, 27040 Montescano, Italy)

  • Elena Fiabane

    (Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine of Genova Nervi Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, 16167 Genova, Italy)

  • Ilaria Setti

    (Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Unit of Applied Psychology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Sara Martelli

    (Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Unit of Applied Psychology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Caterina Pistarini

    (Department of Neurorehabilitation of Pavia Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Valentina Sommovigo

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 health emergency, healthcare professionals faced several ethical demanding job stressors, becoming at particular risk of moral distress. To date, only a few scales have been developed to evaluate moral distress among frontline professionals working in contact with COVID-19 patients. Moreover, although many healthcare professionals from various disciplines were converted to COVID-19 patient care, no study has yet analyzed whether the resulting change in duties might represent a risk factor for moral distress. Thus, this study aimed to investigate how and when the change in duties during the emergency would be related to healthcare professionals’ psycho-physical malaise. To this aim, a first Italian adaptation of the Stress of Conscience Questionnaire (SCQ) was provided. In total, 272 Italian healthcare professionals participated in this cross-sectional study. Healthcare professionals who had to perform tasks outside their usual clinical duties were more likely to experience moral distress and then psycho-physical malaise. This was particularly likely for those who were extremely concerned about becoming infected with the virus. The results also indicated that the Italian adaptation of the SCQ had a one-factor solution composed of six items. This study provides the first Italian adaptation of SCQ and practical suggestions on how supporting professionals’ well-being during emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Marina Maffoni & Elena Fiabane & Ilaria Setti & Sara Martelli & Caterina Pistarini & Valentina Sommovigo, 2022. "Moral Distress among Frontline Physicians and Nurses in the Early Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-23, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9682-:d:881514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Natasha Smallwood & Amy Pascoe & Leila Karimi & Karen Willis, 2021. "Moral Distress and Perceived Community Views Are Associated with Mental Health Symptoms in Frontline Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Gabriele Giorgi & Luigi Isaia Lecca & Federico Alessio & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giorgia Bondanini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2020. "COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-22, October.
    3. Julián Rodríguez-Almagro & Antonio Hernández-Martínez & Cristina Romero-Blanco & Alejandro Martínez-Arce & Maria del Carmen Prado-Laguna & Francisco Jose García-Sanchez, 2021. "Experiences and Perceptions of Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Crisis in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-14, October.
    4. Francisca Rego & Valentina Sommovigo & Ilaria Setti & Anna Giardini & Elsa Alves & Julliana Morgado & Marina Maffoni, 2022. "How Supportive Ethical Relationships Are Negatively Related to Palliative Care Professionals’ Negative Affectivity and Moral Distress: A Portuguese Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-17, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Valentina Sommovigo & Chiara Bernuzzi & Georgia Libera Finstad & Ilaria Setti & Paola Gabanelli & Gabriele Giorgi & Elena Fiabane, 2023. "How and When May Technostress Impact Workers’ Psycho-Physical Health and Work-Family Interface? A Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-23, January.

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