Rethinking moral distress in healthcare: A new framework for supporting physicians

Moral distress is a common experience among clinicians, particularly in cases where ethical reasoning and institutional constraints collide. A new study, "When Fulfilling a Professional Obligation Causes Moral Distress: A New Evaluative Approach," published in Journal of Intensive Care Medicine, explores how the limitations of ethics, in addition to institutional challenges, contribute to moral distress. The research introduces an emotion-based evaluative framework aimed at addressing the impact of moral distress on professional identity. This novel approach provides insights into how clinicians can better navigate moral challenges and calls for institutional education and support to mitigate these issues.