Children’s Health is a pediatric hospital system that operates in Dallas and Northern Texas, and it is considered one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the United States.
While Children’s Health is renowned for providing top-notch care for its young patients, it also recognizes the emotional burden that caring for children can have on its healthcare providers. One way that Children’s Health has addressed this issue is by using consult services to mitigate moral distress among its healthcare providers.
Moral distress is a common phenomenon among healthcare providers, particularly in high-stress environments such as pediatric hospitals. Moral distress occurs when healthcare providers feel that they are unable to provide the care that they believe is best for their patients. For example, a healthcare provider may feel that they are providing care that is not in the best interest of their patient due to external constraints such as hospital policies, financial considerations, or lack of resources.
To address moral distress among its healthcare providers, Children’s Health has implemented a consult service that provides a forum for healthcare providers to discuss ethical and moral concerns related to patient care. The service is led by a team of ethicists and chaplains who work with healthcare providers to explore ethical issues and provide support.
One example of how the consult service works is in the case of a patient who has a terminal illness and is receiving end-of-life care. Healthcare providers may feel conflicted about providing care that they believe is only prolonging the patient’s suffering. Through the consult service, healthcare providers can discuss their concerns with ethicists and chaplains who can provide guidance and support in navigating the ethical challenges of end-of-life care.
Another example of how the consult service works is in the case of a patient who requires life-saving treatment but whose family is opposed to the treatment due to religious beliefs. Healthcare providers may feel that they are in a moral quandary, as they want to provide the best possible care for the patient while respecting the family’s wishes. Through the consult service, healthcare providers can discuss their concerns with ethicists and chaplains who can provide guidance and support in navigating the ethical challenges of balancing patient autonomy and best interests.
The consult service at Children’s Health also provides education and training to healthcare providers on ethical and moral issues related to patient care. This education and training help healthcare providers recognize moral distress in themselves and their colleagues and provide strategies for coping with moral distress.
Children’s Health has found that the consult service has had a positive impact on its healthcare providers. Healthcare providers report feeling supported and better equipped to navigate ethical and moral issues related to patient care. By providing a forum for healthcare providers to discuss ethical and moral concerns, Children’s Health has created a culture that values the emotional well-being of its healthcare providers and recognizes the important role that emotional support plays in providing quality care.