Perspectives

Moral Injury or Burnout?

Authors: Thomas F. Heston, MD, Joshuel A. Pahang, BS

Abstract

Burnout among healthcare providers is a growing problem, leading to the early retirement of otherwise qualified professionals and suboptimal medical care. Rates of physician burnout in the United States are estimated to exceed 50%, increasing the cost of medical care through high turnover and decreased quality of patient care.1

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References

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2. West CP, Dyrbye LN, Shanafelt TD. Physician burnout: contributors, consequences and solutions. J Intern Med 2018;283:516-529.
3. Beauchamp TL. The 'four principles’ approach to health care ethics. In: Ashcroft RE, Dawson A, Draper H, et al, eds. Principles of Health Care Ethics. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 2006:3-10.
4. Sifton E. The Serenity Prayer: Faith and Politics in Times of Peace and War. New York: Norton; 2005.
5. Asken MJ. Physician burnout: moral injury is a questionable term. BMJ 2019;365:I2375.