Provider perspectives on a novel moral injury treatment for veterans: Initial assessment of acceptability and feasibility of the Impact of Killing treatment materials

Objective: We assessed whether treatment providers specializing in evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder found the Impact of Killing (IOK), a novel treatment for moral injury among combat veterans, acceptable, and feasible.

Methods: Ten providers from a large veterans administration (VA) medical center were provided with materials from IOK. We audio-recorded a semistructured interview with each provider where we elicited open-ended feedback as well as asked five structured questions about the relative advantage, compatibility, complexity/simplicity, trialability, and observability of IOK.

Results: All providers found IOK feasible, acceptable, and something they could incorporate into their existing practice. Providers reported that the spiritual and moral concerns addressed in IOK were novel, and that self-forgiveness and making amends were critical components promoting healing from moral injury not emphasized in other treatments.

Conclusions: Among trauma providers, IOK was found acceptable and feasible, offering a novel approach to addressing moral injury among combat veterans.