6.M. Workshop: Moral distress and moral injury in the public health community in times of COVID-19

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many health professionals endured moral distress and moral injury. Whereas many stories about moral distress in hospitals and care facilities were shared, little is known about moral injury among health care personnel and among public health professionals. This workshop wants to offer an opportunity to open a conversation about moral injury in general, in health care personnel and in in public health experts. The public health community should not shy away from openly discussing moral injury and moral distress due to the the Covid-19 pandemic. It is necessary to collect the stories about the situations where members of the public health community were hindered in doing what was the ethically appropriate action due to circumstances beyond their control.Objectives of this workshop are: Clarifying the concept of moral injury and moral distressUnderstanding what ‘ethically appropriate actions' are in times of a pandemicOffering a platform for sharing stories of moral distress Key messages Moral distress and moral injury are potential modifiable mental conditions in times of disaster and stressIdentifying determinants of moral distress and moral injury is necessary to optimize Public health responses to disasters