Physicians Aren't 'Burning Out.' They're Suffering From Moral Injury

Talbot, Simon; Dean, Wendy

Physicians Aren't 'Burning Out.' They're Suffering From Moral Injury

Talbot, Simon; Dean, Wendy

Abstract

[This is an excerpt.] Physicians on the front lines of health care today are sometimes described as going to battle. It’s an apt metaphor. Physicians, like combat soldiers, often face a profound and unrecognized threat to their well-being: moral injury. Moral injury is frequently mischaracterized. In combat veterans it is diagnosed as post-traumatic stress; among physicians it’s portrayed as burnout. But without understanding the critical difference between burnout and moral injury, the wounds will never heal and physicians and patients alike will continue to suffer the consequences. [To read more, click View Resource.]

This resource is found in our Actionable Strategies for Health Organizations: Aligning Values (Acknowledge/Address Moral Distress & Moral Injury).

View Resource
STAT
2018
Profession(s)
Physicians
Topic(s)
Moral Distress or Moral Injury
Resource Types
Commentaries & Blogs
Study Type(s)
Expert Opinion, Commentary, etc.
Action Strategy Area(s)
Aligning Values
Setting(s)
No items found.
Academic Role(s)
No items found.
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