The relationship between futile care perception and moral distress among intensive care unit nurses

Moral distress is among the various types of distress that involves nurses and can lead to multiple complications. It is therefore rather important to identify the factors related to moral distress. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between futile care perception and moral distress among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. This cross-sectional study used a descriptive-correlation method and was conducted on 117 ICU nurses of Qom hospitals in 2016. Data were collected using a 17-item futile care perception questionnaire, and Jameton’s moral distress questionnaire containing 30 questions. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16, descriptive statistics and univariate regression analysis. The results showed that the mean age of the participants was 34.99, and most (about 66.7%) were women. Univariate regression analysis indicated that when ICU nurses’ perception of futile care and work experience increased, their moral distress also increased significantly (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively). It can therefore be concluded that moral distress is associated with futile care and ICU work experience. It seems that some interventions are necessary in future to place nurses in clinical situations involving futile care, and thus reduce their level of moral distress.