Moral distress : recognition and prevention for the support worker

Bifarin, O; Stonehouse, DP

Abstract

In this article, the authors discuss the important issue of moral distress among support workers. Moral distress will first
be defined before moving on to examine two forms this can take: initial distress and reactive distress.
The implications of moral distress for both the support worker and their colleagues, as well as patients and their carers, will be discussed. Relevant sections
of the 2013 Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England will be identified.
Two common scenarios will be presented, highlighting how moral distress can manifest itself in everyday practice. The importance of self-awareness and reflective practice will be looked at, before identifying recommendations for future practice.

Citation

Bifarin, O., & Stonehouse, D. (2016). Moral distress : recognition and prevention for the support worker. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 10(11), 546-549. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjha.2016.10.11.546

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Nov 10, 2016
• Publication Date: Nov 10, 2016
• Deposit Date: Apr 6, 2018
• Journal: British Journal of Healthcare Assistants
• Print ISSN: 1753-1586
• Electronic ISSN: 2052-4420
• Publisher: MA Healthcare
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 546-549
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjha.2016.10.11.546
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/bjha.2016.10.11.546
• Related Public URLs: https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/toc/bjha/current