Emergency methods, moral dilemma and coping styles among frontline nurses: an explorative study during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly impacted China, especially the emergency services since 2020. For many, it raises unique ethical dilemmas, including psychological, moral, social, and economic issues, especially among frontline health workers. Methods We explored the moral dilemmas of two groups of frontline nurses during the pandemic through online questionnaires and the Corley Moral Distress Scale. We then investigated the effect of proper anti-epidemic emergency measures on alleviating moral dilemmas and improving their coping styles by exploring questions on anti-epidemic measures implemented. Results The average score of all the nurses’ moral dilemmas was 131.27±14.52. They encountered many moral dilemmas during the pandemic. The frontline nurses’ scores indicated more negative coping styles in the first group before systematic preparedness measures were in place. Conclusions This study suggests that the “Chinese emergency methods”, a set of epidemic preparedness protocols and guidelines may affect the frontline nurses in reducing moral dilemmas and improving their coping styles.