Elizabeth G Epstein, PhD, RN, HEC-C, FAAN
(Beth Epstein)
Research Focus
End-of-life issues, ethics, pediatrics.Recent Grants
- A Precursor for Analysis of Continuity of Care and Ethical Conflict at the End-of-Life, Principal Investigator (2008-2009)
Teaching Focus
Ethics, pharmacology.Publications
Advance Online Publications
Miller, P.H., Epstein, E.G., Smith, T.B., Welch, T.D., Smith, M., Bail, J.R. (2023). Moral distress among nurse leaders: A qualitative systematic review. Nursing Ethics. Advance online publication.
Journal Articles
Beltrao, J.R., Beltrao, M.R., Bernardelli, R.S., Franco, R.S., Epstein, E.G., Corradi-Perini, C. (2023). Adaptation and validation of the Brazilian version of the Measure of Moral Distress for Healthcare Professionals. BMC Palliative Care, 22(154), 0. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-023-01277-3
Amos, V., Sullivan, K., Phal, N., Wocial, L., & Epstein, E.G. (2023). A novel web-based and mobile application to measure real-time moral distress: An initial pilot and feasibility study. Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, , .
Epstein, E.G., Marshall, M.F. O’Connor, C., & Ortiz, M.M. (2023). Moral community and teamwork in the ICU. Critical Connections, Spring 2023, 32-33.
Silverman, A., Batten, J., Berkman, E., Fitzgerald, H., Epstein, E., Shearer, E., Diekema, D., & Burgart, A. (2023). Resuscitate but not intubate? Partial codes in pediatrics. Pediatrics, 152(2), 57-60. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-058931
McBride, S., Alexander, G., Baernholdt, M., Vugrin, M., & Epstein, E. (2023). Scoping review: Positive and negative impact of technology on clinicians. Nursing Outlook, 71(2), 101918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101918
Prompahakul, C., Keim-Malpass, J., LeBaron, V., & Epstein, E. (2023). Thai translation and psychometric testing of the measure of moral distress for healthcare professionals. Journal of Health Science and Medical Research, 41(6), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.31584/jhsmr.2023976
Epstein, E. G., Hurst, A. R., Bourne, D., & Marshall, M. F. (2023). Measure for measure: Condemning the actor and not the fault. The American Journal of Bioethics, 23(4), 66-68. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2023.2186530
Wilson, M. A., Simmons, A., Harris, J. I., Thomas, S., Shay, A., Usset, T. J., Cook, W., Bevington, D., Hurley, A. C., & Epstein, E. (2022). Adaptation and testing of a military version of the measure of moral distress for healthcare professionals. American Journal of Critical Care, 31(5), . https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2022177
Amos, V. K. and Epstein, E. G. (2022). Moral distress interventions: An integrative literature review. Nursing Ethics, 29(3), 582-607. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330211035489
Bourne, D. W., & Epstein, E. (2021). The experience of moral distress in an academic family medicine clinic. Healthcare Ethics Committee Forum, 35(1), 37-54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10730-021-09453-9
Epstein, E., Shah, R., & Marshall, M. F. (2021). Effect of a moral distress consultation service on moral distress, empowerment, and a healthy work environment. Healthcare Ethics Committee Forum, 4(3), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10730-021-09449-5
Prompahakul, C., Malpass, J., LeBaron, V., Yan, G., & Epstein, B. (2021). Moral distress among nurses: A mixed methods study. Nursing Ethics, 28(8), 1165-1182. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733021996028
Whitehead, P. B., Carter, K., Garber, J., & Epstein, E. G. (2021). The nurse manager's experience of moral distress. Journal of Nursing Administration, 51(6), 334-339. https://doi.org/10.1097/nna.0000000000001023
Epstein, E. G. (2021). A closer look at feticide and moral distress. [Invited commentary]. Journal of Clinical Ethics, 32(2), 124-126.
Prompahakul, C., & Epstein, E.G. (2020). Moral distress experienced by non-Western nurses: An integrative review. Nursing Ethics, 27(3), 778-795. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733019880241
Epstein, E. G., Haizlip, J., Liaschenko, J., Zhao, D., Bennett, R., & Marshall, M. F. (2020). Moral distress, mattering, and secondary traumatic stress in provider burnout: A call for moral community. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 31(2), 146-157. https://doi.org/10.4037/aacnacc2020285
Berger, J., Hamric, A. B., & Epstein, E. G. (2019). Self-inflicted moral distress: Opportunity for a fuller exercise of professionalism. Journal of Clinical Ethics, 30(4), 315-318.
Epstein, E. G., Prompahakul, C., Thacker, L., Whitehead, P. B., & Hamric, A. B. (2019). Enhancing understanding of moral distress: The measure of moral distress for healthcare professionals. AJOB Empirical Bioethics, 10(2), 113-124. https://doi.org/10.1080/23294515.2019.1586008
Wolf, A., White, K. R., Epstein, E., & Enfield, K. (2019). Palliative care and moral distress: An institutional survey of critical care nurses. Critical Care Nurse, 39(5), 38-49. https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2019645
Chen, D., Epstein, E., Almarode, S., Winter, J., & Marshall, M. F. (2018). What the “F”? American Journal of Bioethics, 18(1), 16-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2017.1401178
Caspari, L., Blackman A., Epstein, E.G., & Kaufman D. (2017). Human factors related to time dependent infection control measures: “Scrub the hub” for venous catheters and feeding tubes. American Journal of Infection Control, 45, 641-651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2017.01.004
Epstein, E., Arechiga, J., Dancy, M., Simon, J., Wilson, D. & Alhusen, J. (2017). Integrative review of technology to support communication with parents of infants in the NICU. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 46(3), 357-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2016.11.019
Epstein, E., & Hurst, A. (2017). Looking at the positive side of moral distress: Why it's a problem. The Journal of Clinical Ethics, 28(1), 37-41.
Epstein, E. G., Hurst, A. R., Mahanes, D., Marshall, M. F., & Hamric, A. B. (2016). Is broader better? American Journal of Bioethics, 16(12), 15-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2016.1242669
Alhusen, J., Bower, K., Epstein, E., & Sharps, P. (2016). Racial discrimination and adverse birth outcomes: An integrative review. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 61(6), 707-720. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12490
Epstein, E.G. & Wolfe, K. (2016). A preliminary evaluation of trust and shared decision making among intensive care unit patients’ family members. Applied Nursing Research, 32, 286-288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2016.08.011
Marshall, M.F. & Epstein, E.G. (2016). Moral hazard and moral distress: A marriage made in purgatory. [Open peer commentary]. American Journal of Bioethics, 16(7), 46-48. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2016.1181895
Roczen, M.L., White, K.R., & Epstein, E.G. (2016). Palliative care and intensive care units: A systematic review. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 18(3), 201-211. https://doi.org/10.1097/njh.0000000000000218
Whitehead, P., Herbertson, R.K., Hamric, A.B., Epstein, E.G., & Fisher, J.M. (2015). Moral distress among healthcare professionals: Report of an institution-wide survey. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 47(2), 117-125. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12115
Epstein, E.G. & Turner, M. (2015). The nursing code of ethics: Its value, its history. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 20(2), 4. https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol20No02Man04
Trautmann, J., Epstein, E., Rovnyak, V., Snyder, A. (2015). Relationships among moral distress, level of practice independence, and intent to leave of nurse practitioners in emergency departments: results from a national survey. Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal, 37(2), 134-45. https://doi.org/10.1097/tme.0000000000000060
Epstein, E. G., Sherman, J., Blackman, A., & Sinkin, R. A. (2015). Testing the feasibility of Skype and FaceTime updates with parents in the NICU. American Journal of Critical Care, 24(4), 290-296. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2015828
Epstein, E.G., Rovnyak, V., Miles, A. & Baernholdt, M. (2013). Parents' perceptions of continuity of care in the NICU: Preliminary testing of an instrument and implications for the nurse-parent relationship. Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, 27(2), 168-175. https://doi.org/10.1097/jpn.0b013e31828eafbb
Hamric, A.B., Borchers, C.T., & Epstein, E.G. (2012). Development and testing of an instrument to measure moral distress in healthcare professionals. AJOB Primary Research, (2), 1-9.
Hamric, A.B., Borchers, C.T., & Epstein, E.G. (2012). Development and testing of an instrument to measure moral distress. AJOB Primary Research, 3(2), 1-9.
Epstein, E.G. (2012). Preventive ethics in the ICU. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 23(2), 217-224.
Epstein, E.G. & Delgado, S.H. (2010). Understanding and addressing moral distress. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 15(3), .
Epstein,E. G. (2008). End-of-life experiences of nurses and physicians in the newborn intensive care unit.. Journal of Perinatology, 28(11), 771-778.
Book Sections
Epstein, E.G., Whitehead, P.B., Mahanes, D., Amos, V., Hurst, A. (2023). Preventing and addressing moral distress. In J. Davidson (Ed, ), Workplace wellness: A primer for leaders in healthcare (pp. 0-Springer Nature).
Epstein, E.G. & Ward, F. (2023). Ethical dimensions of nursing and healthcare. In E. Friberg & J. Creasia (Eds.), Conceptual foundations: The bridge to professional nursing practice (pp. 0-Elsevier, Inc).
Epstein, E. G., & Maynard, F. R. (2020). Ethical dimensions of nursing and health care. In E. E. Friberg (Ed.), Conceptual foundations: The bridge to professional nursing practice (7th ed., pp. 210-224). Elsevier, Inc.
Hamric, A. B., Epstein, E. G., & White, K. R. (2013). Moral distress and the healthcare organization. In G. Filerman, A. Mills, & P. Schyve (Eds.), Managerial ethics in healthcare: A new perspective (pp. 137-57). Health Administration Press.
Epstein, E. G. (2012). Ethical issues in neonatal nursing. In C. M. Ulrich (Ed.), Nursing ethics in everyday practice: A step by step guide (pp. ). Sigma Theta Tau International
Hamric, A.B., Epstein, E.G. & White, K. (2012). Moral distress and the hospital. In A. Mills, G. Filerman, & P. Werhane (Eds.), Healthcare Ethics for Healthcare Organizations: A Moral Imperative (pp. ). Health Administration Press.
Columns, Editorials and Op-Eds
Marshall, M. F., Epstein, E. G., Bourne, D., & Mahanes, S. D. (2020, Summer). Ethics and moral distress consultation shape an institutional approach. SCCM Critical Connections. .
Phillips, E.K., & Epstein, E. G. (2015, January 29). Kavod v'Nichum: Nurses, the dying, and the newly dead. Jewish Journal: Expired and Inspired. Retrieved from http://www.jewishjournal.com.
Archival Documents and Collections
Epstein, E.G., Valcin, K., Agarwal, A., de la Zerda, D.J., Mikkelsen, M., Roberts, K.J., Sikora, A., Smithburger, P., Stollings, J., & Vranas, K.C. (2022). Well-being Gap Analysis Toolkit for Critical Care Professionals. Centers for Disease Control/Society for Critical Care Medicine Task Force. Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM). https://www.sccm.org/Clinical-Resources/Well-Being-Resources