Exploring moral distress in primary and critical care medicine

Funded by CIHR, researchers at McMaster University and the University of Calgary are exploring the experiences of moral distress in health care providers working in critical care and family medicine during the pandemic. The Canadian Medical Association defines moral distress as feeling unable to take what one believes to be an ethically appropriate or right course of action because of institutionalized obstacles. This research is taking place in two provinces with high infection rates (Ontario and Alberta), through the use of a qualitative case study methodology. Four “cases” (i.e., one formal family medicine practice and one critical care unit in both Ontario and Alberta) have been selected to highlight how moral distress manifests in different clinical contexts. Data collection includes qualitative interviews and the collection of institutional policy documents to generate understanding of the contexts that shape experiences of moral distress. Data collection has been completed at the Ontario ICU case, participant recruitment and data collection is ongoing at all other cases, and analysis is ongoing. For more information, please contact the study lead Monica Molinaro (molinaml@mcmaster.ca) or Lawrence Grierson (griersle@mcmaster.ca).