NHS Practitioner Health
NHS Practitioner Health
Understanding Emotions- Moral Injury
Understanding Emotions- Moral Injury
Understanding Emotions- Moral Injury
Wednesday 26th February 2025
Explore how moral injury affects healthcare professionals, especially during the pandemic, with insights from Dr Zaid Al-Najjar, Simon Lyne, and Ruth Deighton.
23 minutes
Informative
Supportive
Compassionate
Honest
Educational
About this podcast
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NHS Practitioner Health
Overview:
Categories:
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Healing Relationships
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Get the buttons here!The Emotional Toll: Understanding Moral Injury in Healthcare
Episode Overview
- Moral injury occurs when events violate a person's ethical code, leading to emotional distress.
- Healthcare professionals often face moral distress due to constraints like insufficient staffing.
- Recognising and validating feelings of distress is crucial to prevent long-term harm.
- Seeking support from professional services or peers can help manage moral distress.
- Self-care practices are essential for maintaining well-being in challenging work environments.
Moral injury can arise where sustained moral distress leads to impaired function or longer-term psychological harm
In this episode of the Practitioner Health Wellbeing Podcast, Dr Zaid Al-Najjar is joined by therapists Simon Lyne and Ruth Deighton to discuss the pressing issue of moral injury among healthcare professionals. They explore how moral injury has become a significant concern, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode sheds light on how events that violate a person's moral or ethical code can lead to profound emotional and psychological distress.
Dr Zaid, Simon, and Ruth share their experiences and insights, explaining how healthcare workers often face moral distress when they are unable to provide the level of care they believe is necessary due to constraints like insufficient staffing or resources. Ruth shares anecdotes from her practice, highlighting the emotional toll on doctors who struggle with the gap between their professional ideals and the harsh realities of modern healthcare.
Simon adds to the discussion by drawing parallels between wartime experiences and the pandemic, noting how the lack of proper protective equipment and support exacerbated feelings of powerlessness among healthcare workers. The conversation also touches on the importance of recognising and validating these feelings to prevent long-term psychological harm. The trio emphasises the value of seeking support, whether through professional services like Practitioner Health or informal peer discussions.
They also offer practical advice for managing moral distress, such as self-care practices and finding ways to regain a sense of agency. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the healthcare field or those interested in understanding the emotional challenges faced by those on the front lines. By acknowledging and addressing moral injury, healthcare professionals can take steps towards healing and maintaining their well-being.