Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41877340›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2026

Struggling to cope in an unknown realm: a qualitative study of moral resilience in frontline healthcare professionals in Swedish hospital wards during a pandemic crisis.

Lena Nordgren, Malin Lohela Karlsson, Emelie Condén Mellgren, Camilla Göras, Petronella Bjurling-Sjöberg

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Lena NordgrenUppsala universitet Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Uppsala, Sweden lena.nordgren@uu.se.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0667-7111
Malin Lohela KarlssonDepartment of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9376-846X
Emelie Condén MellgrenCentre for Clinical Research, Uppsala Universitet, Västerås, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4525-1623
Camilla GörasDepartment of Caring Sciences, University of Gavle Department of Occupational Health and Psychology, Gavle, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0883-4072
Petronella Bjurling-SjöbergPublic Health and Caring Sciences, Health Service Research, Uppsala University Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThis study aimed to explore the process of moral resilience among frontline healthcare professionals. By delving into experiences of handling moral challenges during a pandemic crisis, we aimed to understand dimensions of moral resilience, affecting factors and consequences. This understanding can inform the implementation of interventions to support healthcare professionals' well-being and ability to deliver high-quality care, under both routine and extreme conditions.

designA qualitative exploratory study was conducted using grounded theory methodology. Data were collected retrospectively through written narratives and individual interviews (September to November 2020).

settingGeneral hospital wards allocated for patients with COVID-19 in two Swedish healthcare regions.

participants46 informants, comprising registered nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, managers and allied health professionals.

resultsA conceptual model is presented that describes and explains the process of moral resilience among frontline healthcare professionals working in general hospital wards during a pandemic crisis. The model reveals a complex and dynamic iterative process, with components at both the individual and system levels being inevitably inter-related.

conclusionsThe findings emphasise that moral resilience within healthcare organisations is not solely dependent on individual qualities but also influenced by the working groups or teams, leadership and prevailing organisational structures. Supportive interventions should target workgroup dynamics and organisational culture while providing tailored support for individuals.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalCOVID-19Health PersonnelMoralsResilience, PsychologicalAdultAttitude of Health PersonnelFemaleFrontline WorkersGrounded TheoryHumansMalePandemicsQualitative ResearchRetrospective StudiesSARS-CoV-2COVID-19MENTAL HEALTHQUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Identifiers

PMID41877340
PMCPMC13034357

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.