Morals in the Emergency Department: Experiences of Doctors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An interpretative phenomenological analysis of Doctors' experiences of moral injury in emergency medicine
IRAS ID
324188
Contact name
Maxine Blackburn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 28 days
Research summary
This research aims to explore experiences of moral injury (MI) in Doctors working within emergency medicine. MI may occur when stressors transgress one’s moral beliefs and values. Although well recognised in the veteran population, it is only in more recent times, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, that MI in health professionals has become a focus of research. Risk factors for MI that increased during the pandemic include exposure to loss of life, inadequate resources, high levels of uncertainty and high stakes decision making. The pressure on the NHS has continued despite reductions in case numbers of COVID, with long waiting lists, disputes around pay and working conditions, and high levels of staff sickness and absences.
The importance of learning more about how Doctors experience MI lies in the corrosive impact it can have for those individuals affected, their relationships and occupational functioning. MI is associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours, diagnosable mental health problems such as PTSD and major depressive disorder, substance misuse and changes to religious and spiritual beliefs. Empirical research has highlighted the link between MI and burnout and mental health difficulties. Research suggests MI could lead to an increase in medical errors and staff leaving the NHS and reduced patient care.
This is a qualitative study which seeks to explore the experience of working in EM from a moral perspective. Initially doctors working in the ED at one NHS trust will be invited to participate. If required (due to problems with recruitment), the study will be advertised using Twitter to EM doctors in England. Semi-structured interviews will be carried out with up to 10 EM doctors to capture descriptive accounts of morally challenging experiences. Interviews will be analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) focusing on how each individual makes sense and ascribes meaning to their experience.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
23/NS/0083
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion