Moral injury is increasingly recognized as an issue facing healthcare workers. A new article suggests viewing it through a bioethical lens - seeing injuries when core principles like autonomy and justice are violated. Examples where this routinely happens include denying patient wishes or providing inferior care due to socioeconomic status. The authors argue that understanding moral distress can validate clinicians' feelings and encourage systemic improvements. While the evidence is limited, it provides a useful, ethical framework to address sources of caregiver distress.
Citation: 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