Critique of Research Studies Part 1: Critique of Research Studies: Journal of Emergency Nursing

      Critique of Research Studies - Part -1 Hauwa Belel Grand Canyon University; NUR-504 Date       Quantitative Title: Fernandez-Parsons, R., Rodriguez, L., & Goyal, D. (2013). Moral distress in emergency nurses. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 39(6), 547-552. Abstract  In the article, the researchers summarized the content of the paper highlighting important elements in the introduction methods, results and discussion sections.  The study findings highlighted that emergency nurses may suffer moral distress as they have to meet the family’s wishes while also supporting competent care. In analyzing the link of moral distress and its impact on the workplace, the cross sectional design was appropriate for the study to collect data at a single point in time. Introduction The problem of moral distress disproportionately affects trauma and emergency nurses, and is associated with lower job satisfaction and the quality of care. The researchers are right to point out that the risks of medical errors are higher when health practitioners suffer moral distress. In many cases, nurses fail to recognize the problem of moral distress. Statement of the problem The aim of the study was to understand the level of moral distress among nurses, as this affects health care providers, health care system, nurses and the patients. The study further highlighted that even as moral distress cannot be eliminated, efforts to mitigate the issue.   Hypotheses or research questions The researcher sought to determine the prevalence of moral distress among emergency nurses, and this was then linked with the level of moral distress in the ED. The other element is the factors of situations resulted in significant moral distress. Literature review In reviewing the literature, Fernandez-Parsons, Rodriguez, & Goyal (2013) mainly focused highlighted studies on moral distress among nurses working in clinical care. The reviewed studies showed low, moderate and high level of moral distress, and this is especially in cases where the patients required aggressive care. The inability of nurses to provide care services is a concern, since the health practitioners feel powerless to deliver quality care even as they have to make ethical decisions (Elpern, Covert & Kleinpell, 2005).  Following the patient family’s wishes was a common theme that affected the ability of nurses to deliver care and improve patient outcome, in cases where such wishes were against the patients’ best interests. Conceptual/theoretical framework              Making decisions in clinical settings depends on the context, and nurses also use moral justification when making decisions, even as they consider the input of family members. Even as nurses desires seek to work in a healing environment, they are more comfortable working together with those who are competent. The study also highlights the impact of the family’s wishes in health care, and when the nurses’ beliefs and perspectives are in conflict with those of family and patients they are more likely to experience moral distress. As such, nurses are more likely to report job satisfaction and seek employment in other places, and the cost of replacing nurses strains resources in hospitals. Qualitative Title: Berg, G. M., Harshbarger, J. L., Ahlers-Schmidt, C. R., & Lippoldt, D. (2016). Exposing compassion fatigue and burnout syndrome in a trauma team: a ...