Moral injury refers to the psychological, emotional, social and sometimes spiritual distress that occurs in the delivery of healthcare. It is distinct from burnout. Psychiatry is uniquely vulnerable to moral injury because mental health professionals work at the intersection of autonomy, safety, coercion, stigma, scarcity, trauma, family distress and systems failure.
It is important to recognize moral injury, provide a safe avenue to discuss the conflicts and emotions that arise in the context of moral injury, and to intervene at various levels to carry out moral repair, so that health care professionals and systems can continue to heal patients while staying true to their values. This presentation will discuss moral injury, how it is likely to manifest, and ways to respond when it occurs.