Moral sensitivity and its relationship with demographic and professional characteristics of nurses working in medical wards of hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Moral sensitivity has various dimensions including personal sentiments, scientific competency, and reasoning and decision making capabilities. To achieve this, some personal traits and educational preparedness are needed. The aim of this study was to determine nurses’ moral sensitivity and its relationship with demographic and professional characteristics in hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive, correlational study was conducted on 198 nurses working in the medical wards of hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Census sampling method was implemented. Data were collected through a demographic and professional characteristics form and the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire (MSQ). The data were analyzed by the SPSS software version 13 using descriptive statistics, T test, Pearson correlation coefficient and ANOVA.
The mean score for nurses’ moral sensitivity was 4.84±0.48 (out of 7). The highest scores were related to the domains of “Interpersonal orientation” and “following the rules”. The lowest scores were related to the domains of “experiencing moral conflict” and “modifying autonomy”. There was a significant and inverse correlation between age and “modifying autonomy” (P=0.008, r=-0.193) and also between age and “following the rules” (P=0.034, r=-0.156). Moreover, there was a significant and inverse correlation between work experience and “following the rules” (P=0.009, r=-0.187).
Given that the nurses gained a low score in the domain of “modifying autonomy”, it is suggested that client centered care and patient’s autonomy be emphasized in developing nursing curriculum and in service training programs.