Moral Distress among Physical and Occupational Therapists: A Case Study

Abstract

Aims

This study examines the impact and implications of moral distress on Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists employed at two Skilled Nursing Facilities.

Methods

This study used a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive design. The target population included a convenience sample of OTs and PTs. The presence and intensity of moral distress was measured using the Moral Distress Scale-Revised-Occupational Therapy-Adult settings (MDS-R-OTA) tool.

Results

This study identified the highest-ranking cause of moral distress among therapists employed in two Skilled Nursing Facilities included the inability to provide optimal therapy services due to limited insurance coverage (mean intensity score1.95, with a range from 1.00 to 3.52 on a 0–4 scale). More than half had either considered or left a job due to moral distress.

Conclusion

Strong organizational support of therapists involved in making ethical dilemmas may be a key approach to reducing moral distress among therapists.

Keywords:

• Moral distress
• physical therapists
• occupational therapists
• skilled nursing facility
• ethical dilemmas

Disclosure statement

The author reports no conflict of interest.