August 28, 2023

The Link Between Bioethics and Moral Injury in Healthcare

This perspective article proposes an important connection between bioethics and moral injury in healthcare. The authors argue that when clinicians witness violations of core bioethical principles like autonomy and justice, it can cause moral injury – emotional distress from compromised morality. They provide examples of how this happens routinely in medical settings. They suggest viewing these as moral injuries can help validate clinicians’ distress and encourage systemic improvements, not just individual blame. While more research is needed, it’s a compelling lens to understand clinicians’ ethical struggles.

Heston TF, Pahang JA. Moral injury and the four pillars of bioethics [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2019, 8:1193 https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.19754.1