Quantifying Moral Distress Among Healthcare Leadership

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively compare moral distress (MD) across leadership job titles, settings, demographic characteristics, work responsibilities, and its impact on intent to leave. BACKGROUND: MD is broadly explored among direct care providers, but there is a dearth of research comparing MD among multiple levels of healthcare leadership. METHODS: This secondary quantitative analysis presents phase one findings of a mixed-methods explanatory sequential study measuring leadership's MD in a multisite healthcare system, using the 27-item Measure of Moral Distress for Healthcare Professionals. RESULTS: Findings revealed differences in MD among leadership by job title (P < 0.001), department (P < 0.001), and history of leaving a position (P < 0.001). The top morally distressing item across healthcare leadership included lack of resources, equipment, and bed capacity. CONCLUSIONS: MD was highest among charge nurses/clinical supervisors. Findings highlight the need for a leader-specific MD scale to quantify the unique causes of MD in leaders.