Moral Distress: A Qualitative Study of Experiences Among Oncology Team Members.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Oncology healthcare professionals (HCPs), particularly nurses, experience moral distress. However, little is known about the impact of moral distress on oncology teams. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe moral distress as it is experienced by oncology teams in practice. METHODS: 32 oncology team members participated in eight focus groups. Content analysis was used to identify key themes. Two investigators collaboratively analyzed the data, and findings were independently reviewed by two additional investigators. FINDINGS: The following six themes emerged.