Moral injury in clinical and academic medicine—it is time to act

BJA Open 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: Britta S. von Ungern-Sternberg, Aine Sommerfield, Karin Becke-Jakob
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjao.2025.100525
Cited by: 8
References: 17

Abstract

When doctors working within healthcare systems under pressure perpetrate, witness, or fail to prevent acts that contradict their own moral or ethical values and expectations, it can lead to moral distress or moral injury. This can result from active behaviour and from purposeful inactive behaviour. It is a growing and critical concern, representing significant distress that extends far beyond traditional concepts such as burnout. This article discusses moral injury in clinical and academic medicine and actively gives suggestions to prevent and address moral injury.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout Workplace Violence and Bullying Ethics in medical practice

Publication details

Journal / source
BJA Open
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
17
Pages
100525–100525
Publication date
20 January 2026
Language
EN