Causes of moral distress in students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences: a qualitative study

Abstract

Ethical challenges in the educational environment can create conditions for moral distress in students and negatively affect their quality of learning and academic performance. The purpose of the study was to explain the experiences of students regarding the causes of moral distress in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. The present qualitative content analysis approach was conducted in 2022. Eighteen students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences were selected using a purposive method. The data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews and analyzed with Graneheim and Lundman’s approach (2004). The results included 6 subcategories, 2 categories (Feelings of insecurity caused by the existing atmosphere and moral injury), and 1 theme (Moral sadness). The students’ experiences showed that the feeling of insecurity caused by the existing atmosphere in the college environment and the moral injuries caused by it led to moral sadness. The moral sadness caused by not overcoming the existing conditions and conflict with the unethical educational atmosphere leads students to moral distress.