Can the Ethical Best Practice of Shared Decision-Making lead to Moral Distress?

AbstractWhen healthcare professionals feel constrained from acting in a patient ’s best interests, moral distress ensues. The resulting negative sequelae of burnout, poor retention rates, and ultimately poor patient care are well recognized across healthcare providers. Yet an appreciation of how particular disciplines, including physicians, come to be “constrained” in the ir actions is still lacking. This paper will examine how the application of shared decision-making may contribute to the experience of moral distress for physicians and why such distress may go under-recognized. Appreciation of these dynamics may assist in cross-discipline sensitivity, enabling more constructive dialogue and collaboration.

Source: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry - March 14, 2018 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research