A cross-sectional survey of moral distress and ethical climate - Situations in paediatric oncology care that involve children's voices

AIM: To assess experiences of morally distressing situations and perceptions of ethical climate in paediatric oncology care, with a focus on situations that involve children's voices.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS: Registered Nurses at all four paediatric oncology centres in Denmark were asked to complete a web-based questionnaire with Danish translations of the Swedish Moral Distress Scale-Revised (MDS-R) and the Swedish Hospital Ethical Climate Survey-Shortened (HECS-S). Data analysis included descriptive statistics and non-parametric correlation tests.

RESULTS: Nurses (n = 65) perceived morally distressing situations as rather uncommon, except for those that involved shortage of time, poor continuity of care and unsafe staffing levels. Most nurses (83%) found it disturbing to perform procedures on school-aged children against their will, and 20% reported that they do this often. Perceptions of ethical climate were positive and healthcare professionals were perceived to be attentive to children's wishes.