Acute Care Contexts

Abstract

Since the term moral distress was first noted almost four decades ago, moral distress experiences have been most thoroughly explored in various acute care settings. The concept of futile or non-beneficial treatments that contribute to unnecessary suffering, especially during palliative and end-of-life care have been found to be a key source of moral distress in acute care settings. Critical/intensive care for adults and children, as well as oncology settings appear to be leaders of moral distress research and exploration. Also explored will be moral distress in burn units, emergency rooms, medical/surgical units, mental health units, operating rooms, perinatal intensive care, renal units, and palliative care/hospice settings. This chapter will contribute to our understanding of the concept of moral distress with studies conducted in acute care hospital settings.