Self-Inflicted Moral Distress: Opportunity for a Fuller Exercise of Professionalism

Jeffrey T Berger; Ann B Hamric; Elizabeth Epstein

Self-Inflicted Moral Distress: Opportunity for a Fuller Exercise of Professionalism

J Clin Ethics. 2019 Winter;30(4):314-317.

Authors

Jeffrey T Berger¹, Ann B Hamric², Elizabeth Epstein³

Affiliations

¹ Professor of Medicine, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, New York USA. [email protected].
² Professor Emeritus, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing, Richmond, Virginia USA.
³ Associate Professor in and Chair of the Department of Acute and Specialty Care, University of Virginia School of Nursing; Associate Professor, the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Humanities, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia USA.

PMID: 31851622

Abstract

Moral distress is a phenomenon increasingly recognized in healthcare that occurs when a clinician is unable to act in a manner consistent with his or her moral requirements due to external constraints. We contend that some experiences of moral distress are self-inflicted due to one's under-assertion of professional authority, and these are potentially avoidable. In this article we outline causes of self-inflicted moral distress and offer recommendations for mitigation.

MeSH terms

Attitude of Health Personnel
Ethics, Professional
Female
Health Personnel / psychology*
Humans
Morals*
Personal Autonomy*
Professionalism / ethics*
Stress, Psychological*