Author cites moral injury, not necessarily burnout, as cause of clinicians’ distress

By VALERIE SCHREMP HAHN

While pulling weeds in her garden, Dr. Wendy Dean listened to a news report about moral injury in drone pilots who never actually saw combat.

She had heard of moral injury before — doctor and psychiatrist Jonathan Shay, who had worked with Vietnam veterans suffering with posttraumatic stress disorder, developed the term. It’s the feelings of distress and betrayal that happen when someone can’t do their job or has to act or witness something against their values or moral beliefs.

nect.” Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, president and chief executive officer of CHA, told those gathered: “As stewards of this ministry, it is both our treasure and responsibility to invite others into the connectedness to which we are called and to be more fully aware of the sacred in our lives.”

Attendees got encouragement to tend to their own wellness; opportunities to share their thoughts, comments and ques- tions; and a chance to join an interactive session to connect with peers from across the Catholic health ministry. The three keynote speakers each delved into an aspect of wellness.

Sr. Mary also revealed CHA’s new vision statement — “We will empower bold change to elevate human flourishing” — on June 12, the first of the virtual event’s two

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Dean, a keynote speaker at CHA’s 2023 Catholic Health Assembly, recalled making the connection between drone pilots and what she saw in medicine. “I thought, hang on, if these folks who go from their suburban house to a base, fly their drones and go back home again can experience moral injury, maybe other folks can too, including those in health care,” she said.

A psychiatrist by training, Dean is president and co-founder of The Moral Injury

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