%0 Journal Article
%T Moral Distress at the Intersection of Law and Ethics: A Thematic Synthesis in Hospital Nursing
%A Sajad Yarahmadi
%A Tayebeh Cheraghian
%A Setare Jafarifar
%J Asian Journal of Ethics in Health and Medicine
%@ 3108-5059
%D 2023
%V 3
%N 1
%R 10.51847/SJx4O1C8tc
%P 310-323
%X One of the most significant difficulties in healthcare environments stems from the ongoing clash between statutory obligations and the core values of care ethics. These situations frequently trigger moral distress, burnout, and a serious disruption in healthcare workers’ professional roles. The current study set out to explore and describe the key aspects and effects of such conflicts, specifically within hospital-based nursing practice. The study used thematic synthesis to integrate findings from qualitative research. Researchers conducted a systematic search across major national and international academic databases, focusing on publications from 2010 to 2025. Ultimately, 15 qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis; all investigated legal–ethical conflicts in hospital environments. Data synthesis proceeded through open and axial coding, culminating in the creation of overarching analytical themes. The analysis produced four primary themes along with twelve supporting subthemes: (1) patient autonomy versus legal protection, (2) organizational directives and resource allocation versus moral duty of care, (3) defensive documentation versus ethical transparency, and (4) hierarchy, inequality, and professional silence versus justice and integrity. These ongoing conflicts regularly caused moral distress, a gradual weakening of professional identity, and considerable emotional pressure on healthcare staff. Legal–ethical conflicts exert a deep influence on individual caregivers and the overall culture of healthcare institutions. Addressing their harmful consequences requires well-coordinated changes across multiple levels: embedding ethics education and practical decision-making skills into nursing training programs, modernizing legal regulations to accommodate greater situational flexibility, and developing robust psychosocial and ethical support mechanisms for personnel who repeatedly face these moral challenges. Implementing such comprehensive strategies can narrow the divide between legal rules and compassionate care, ultimately supporting greater ethical alignment, long-term professional resilience, and stronger trust across healthcare systems.
%U https://smerpub.com/article/moral-distress-at-the-intersection-of-law-and-ethics-a-thematic-synthesis-in-hospital-nursing-7ba9wml74hsiowz