Factors associated with moral sensitivity among nurses in adult intensive care units: A cross-sectional study in China.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Wiley Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9808649 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1478-5153 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13621017 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Nurs Crit Care Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Oxford : Wiley
      Original Publication: London : published for the British Association of Critical Care Nurses by Greycoat Pub.,
    • Subject Terms:
      Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care Nursing* ; Nursing Staff, Hospital*/psychology ; Morals* ; Empathy*; Humans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; China ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Organizational Culture ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Middle Aged
    • Abstract:
      Background: Moral sensitivity may play a role in dealing with ethical issues in ICUs. However, the moral sensitivity of adult ICU nurses in China and its predictors have not been well investigated.
      Aim: To analyse the moral sensitivity of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses and its predictors.
      Study Design: A cross-sectional study through convenience sampling was conducted in the ICUs of five hospitals in China between November and December 2022. A total of 331 ICU nurses were recruited. Data were obtained using a self-developed socio-demographic characteristic questionnaire, the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professionals and the Organizational Climate Scale for Nursing. The participating institutions received a link to the tools used for online data collection, which they then forwarded to nursing staff.
      Results: The valid response rate was 96.98% (n = 321). The total mean moral sensitivity score of nurses was 43.04 ± 5.95. The mean scores for empathic ability and organizational climate for nursing were 91.97 ± 17.88 and 101.28 ± 14.77, respectively. Regression analyses revealed that the primary factors associated with moral sensitivity among critical care nurses included work tenure (p < .05), empathic ability (p < .001) and organizational climate (p < .001).
      Conclusions: High levels of moral sensitivity were found in critical care nurses in China. Work tenure, empathic ability and organizational climate were significant predictors of moral sensitivity in critical care nurses.
      Relevance to Clinical Practice: To enhance the ethical sensitivity of ICU nurses, we suggest to strengthen the training of novice nurses so that they can better face the moral dilemma in clinical practice. In addition, organizational managers should also take measures to create a positive and harmonious working atmosphere, promote the application of moral knowledge in nursing practice and enhance their moral sensitivity.
      (© 2024 British Association of Critical Care Nurses.)
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    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: critical care; empathic ability; moral sensitivity; nursing; organizational climate
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20240918 Date Completed: 20241029 Latest Revision: 20241029
    • Publication Date:
      20241031
    • Accession Number:
      10.1111/nicc.13158
    • Accession Number:
      39291677