Recognizing Moral Disengagement and Its Impact on Patient Safety

Abstract

Moral disengagement refers to a process that involves justifying one's unethical actions by altering one's moral perception of those actions. The moral disengagement that occurs in the health care industry poses serious threats to patient safety, the culture of the institution, and even the mental health of care providers. This article describes the factors that create moral distress and impact moral disengagement among health care professionals, as well as ways to identify moral disengagement.