Moral Distress in Pediatric Residents: Mapping Experiences, Ethical Guidance, and Challenges in Navigating Ethical Conflicts

Introduction . Physicians frequently experience moral distress. Research on this issue among pediatric trainees is lacking. Our objective was to examine the characteristics of pediatric trainees’ moral distress. Methods . We conducted a descriptive qualitative study of pediatric residents’ experience of moral distress. Over a six-month period, residents participated in reflective exercises followed by a mapping of their moral distress using a case involving a terminally ill patient. Data was coded and thematically analyzed. Results . Residents described five recurring moral challenges: balancing appropriate clinical care against concern for the patient’s perceived poor quality of life; carrying the emotional burden of conveying distressing news to families; navigating the tension between parental or family expectations and clinical realities; managing personal emotions while maintaining professional boundaries; and working with limited collaboration from other clinical teams. Common emotions included sadness and frustration. Conclusion . This study explored moral distress among pediatric trainees. The findings provide valuable insight for pediatric programs and educators seeking to better support residents during training.