Exploring healthcare professionals' attitudes towards patients attempting suicide and their moral sensitivities in emergency departments: A descriptive-correlational analysis

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between moral sensitivities among physicians and nurses in the emergency department and their attitudes towards patients who have attempted suicide.

Methods

This correlational and descriptive study took place in the emergency departments of three distinct university hospitals in Turkiye. The study was conducted with 152 physicians and nurses who volunteered to participate in the research. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, independent samples t-test, bonferroni test, pearson correlation, and linear regression.

Results

Of all participants, 61.8 % (n = 91) were female; 58.6 % (n = 89) were nurses, and the mean age was 29.01 (SD = 6.94) years. The mean scores obtained by participants from the MSQ and the ASETSA were 81.93 (SD = 20.97) and 96.17 (SD = 7.99), respectively. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between participants' mean score on the ASETSA and both the total mean score and dimension mean scores (autonomy, providing benefit, holistic approach, orientation) of the MSQ (p < 0.001). Moral sensitivity was found to be a significant predictor in explaining attitudes towards suicide attempts, accounting for 14 % of the variance (R² = 0.14, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Physicians and nurses in the emergency department who prioritize respecting the patient's autonomy, providing benefit, safeguarding the patient's integrity, and employing ethical considerations in their interactions and practices tend to harbor more positive attitudes towards individuals attempting suicide. Implementing education programs, clinical guidelines, and algorithms aimed at enhancing moral sensitivity can facilitate this development.