U of L, Alberta Health Services researchers investigate moral distress among Alzheimer's caregivers
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
- First-ever study in Canada to look at caregivers and the stresses they face
- Diagnoses of Alzheimer’s expected to double in 25 years
- Collaborative relationship with Alberta Health Services and support from Alzheimer Society of Canada key to research process
Knowing the right thing to do is one thing. Actually being able to do it, quite another.
In fact, many nurses experience that dilemma every day, according to University of Lethbridge researcher Dr. Shannon Spenceley. She is exploring ways to lessen this source of moral stress among nurses in the workplace.
The study, which is funded by the national Alzheimer Society Research Program, is the first in Canada to focus on moral distress in continuing care settings, such as long-term care or supportive living facilities.
A nursing professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Spenceley is the principal investigator of a study that is examining moral distress among nurses who care for those with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia.
The two-year project also involves U of L health sciences co-investigators Dr. Bradley Hagen and Dr. Olu Awosoga, as well as Dr. Barry Hall of the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work (Lethbridge Campus) and Dr. Roland Ikuta, the Medical Director of Seniors Health, Alberta Health Services (AHS) South Zone. Colin Zeiber, Executive Director of Seniors Health for Alberta Health Services (AHS) South Zone, is the AHS community partner liaison for the project.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada reports that more than 747,000 Canadians are living with AD or other types of dementia – and that figure is expected to more than double in 25 years (by 2038).
In Alberta, there are more than 46,000 people with Alzheimer’s or related dementias, and over the next 25 years, that figure is expected to reach more than 100,000. Seventeen per cent of new cases are ‘early onset’, where people are diagnosed before age 65, and 72 per cent of those are women.
A fatal and progressive disease that destroys brain cells, AD affects one’s ability to remember things, make decisions and perform routine activities. Most people living in residential care facilities having some form of dementia, including AD.
Nursing caregivers can find themselves in difficult, and ethically complex, situations when trying to provide the best care for residents with dementia.
“It may be that a nurse who is caring for a confused and agitated resident can either use a prescription drug to reduce the agitation or simply sit with a resident until the resident calms down," Spenceley said.
“The nurse knows that while the former option may cause undesirable side effects, the latter one will require extra time. In a situation where staffing is short and there are many competing demands, the nurse may feel that the choice he/she feels is right is simply not possible. Such situations create feelings of moral distress, which has been linked over time to nurse burnout, and to nurses leaving a job or even the profession.”
To better understand the triggers and effects of moral distress, and to help residential-care managers address staff recruitment and retention challenges, Spenceley’s team will interview and survey nursing caregivers in several facilities across southern Alberta.
“Ultimately, we want to develop strategies to mitigate moral distress,” Spenceley said.
“By understanding such issues, and working to create solutions, it creates the opportunity to address some of the recruitment and retention issues faced in this sector of care. Finally, anything that can be done to create a healthier and happier workforce caring for this complex population is a step in the right direction in terms of providing high-quality residential care.”
Background Information
http://www.moraldistress.ca/
What is already known:
Moral distress is the bad feeling that a nurse gets when she/he knows the right thing to do for a client or resident, but for some reason is unable to do it.
Research in hospital settings shows that when moral distress is present over time, nurses are more likely to leave jobs, or even leave the profession.
The researchers know that the nursing care provided in residential care settings is complex, and believe that this care becomes even more complex and challenging for nurses caring for residents who live with dementia.
They also know that the retention of nurses in residential care settings is vital, and a growing challenge.
What this research will help to further define:
This is the first study to closely examine what moral distress looks and feels like for nurses in residential care settings providing care to people living with dementia.
In this two year study, the researchers will (in Phase One of the study) talk with nurses (registered nurses, licensed practical nurses as well as health care aides) to discover the nature of how moral distress experienced, situations that trigger it, and how nurses try to cope with the feelings that arise.
Once they have a deeper understanding of moral distress in this setting, the researchers will be developing a survey that will allow them (in Phase Two of the study) to measure moral distress in residential care settings.
Potential outcome:
Understanding of this issue is essential in assisting decision makers as they endeavour to create healthier workplaces for nursing staff, and maintain the highest quality of care for people living in residential care settings.
About the Alzheimer Society:
The Alzheimer Society Research Program funds research that improves the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and research into finding a cure. Additional information can be found here: http://www.alzheimer.ca
In Alberta, please contact the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories here: http://www.alzheimer.ab.ca. Funds contributed in Alberta support national programs, among them projects such as the moral distress research at the University of Lethbridge.
---
U of L Communications and Public Relations Contact:
Bob Cooney, Communications and PR Officer (403) 382-7173
- Collaborative relationship with Alberta Health Services and support from Alzheimer Society of Canada key to research process
Knowing the right thing to do is one thing. Actually being able to do it, quite another.
In fact, many nurses experience that dilemma every day, according to University of Lethbridge researcher Dr. Shannon Spenceley. She is exploring ways to lessen this source of moral stress among nurses in the workplace.
The study, which is funded by the national Alzheimer Society Research Program, is the first in Canada to focus on moral distress in continuing care settings, such as long-term care or supportive living facilities.
A nursing professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Spenceley is the principal investigator of a study that is examining moral distress among nurses who care for those with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia.
The two-year project also involves U of L health sciences co-investigators Dr. Bradley Hagen and Dr. Olu Awosoga, as well as Dr. Barry Hall of the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work (Lethbridge Campus) and Dr. Roland Ikuta, the Medical Director of Seniors Health, Alberta Health Services (AHS) South Zone. Colin Zeiber, Executive Director of Seniors Health for Alberta Health Services (AHS) South Zone, is the AHS community partner liaison for the project.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada reports that more than 747,000 Canadians are living with AD or other types of dementia – and that figure is expected to more than double in 25 years (by 2038).
In Alberta, there are more than 46,000 people with Alzheimer’s or related dementias, and over the next 25 years, that figure is expected to reach more than 100,000. Seventeen per cent of new cases are ‘early onset’, where people are diagnosed before age 65, and 72 per cent of those are women.
A fatal and progressive disease that destroys brain cells, AD affects one’s ability to remember things, make decisions and perform routine activities. Most people living in residential care facilities having some form of dementia, including AD.
Nursing caregivers can find themselves in difficult, and ethically complex, situations when trying to provide the best care for residents with dementia.
“It may be that a nurse who is caring for a confused and agitated resident can either use a prescription drug to reduce the agitation or simply sit with a resident until the resident calms down," Spenceley said.
“The nurse knows that while the former option may cause undesirable side effects, the latter one will require extra time. In a situation where staffing is short and there are many competing demands, the nurse may feel that the choice he/she feels is right is simply not possible. Such situations create feelings of moral distress, which has been linked over time to nurse burnout, and to nurses leaving a job or even the profession.”
To better understand the triggers and effects of moral distress, and to help residential-care managers address staff recruitment and retention challenges, Spenceley’s team will interview and survey nursing caregivers in several facilities across southern Alberta.
“Ultimately, we want to develop strategies to mitigate moral distress,” Spenceley said.
“By understanding such issues, and working to create solutions, it creates the opportunity to address some of the recruitment and retention issues faced in this sector of care. Finally, anything that can be done to create a healthier and happier workforce caring for this complex population is a step in the right direction in terms of providing high-quality residential care.”
Background Information
http://www.moraldistress.ca/
What is already known:
Moral distress is the bad feeling that a nurse gets when she/he knows the right thing to do for a client or resident, but for some reason is unable to do it.
Research in hospital settings shows that when moral distress is present over time, nurses are more likely to leave jobs, or even leave the profession.
The researchers know that the nursing care provided in residential care settings is complex, and believe that this care becomes even more complex and challenging for nurses caring for residents who live with dementia.
They also know that the retention of nurses in residential care settings is vital, and a growing challenge.
What this research will help to further define:
This is the first study to closely examine what moral distress looks and feels like for nurses in residential care settings providing care to people living with dementia.
In this two year study, the researchers will (in Phase One of the study) talk with nurses (registered nurses, licensed practical nurses as well as health care aides) to discover the nature of how moral distress experienced, situations that trigger it, and how nurses try to cope with the feelings that arise.
Once they have a deeper understanding of moral distress in this setting, the researchers will be developing a survey that will allow them (in Phase Two of the study) to measure moral distress in residential care settings.
Potential outcome:
Understanding of this issue is essential in assisting decision makers as they endeavour to create healthier workplaces for nursing staff, and maintain the highest quality of care for people living in residential care settings.
About the Alzheimer Society:
The Alzheimer Society Research Program funds research that improves the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and research into finding a cure. Additional information can be found here: http://www.alzheimer.ca
In Alberta, please contact the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories here: http://www.alzheimer.ab.ca. Funds contributed in Alberta support national programs, among them projects such as the moral distress research at the University of Lethbridge.
---
U of L Communications and Public Relations Contact:
Bob Cooney, Communications and PR Officer (403) 382-7173
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