Moral Injury Among Interventional Radiologists.

Area of Science:

• Medical ethics
• Physician well-being
• Healthcare professional psychology

Background:

• Moral injury (MI) is a growing concern among healthcare professionals, potentially affecting their mental health and job satisfaction.
• Interventional radiology (IR) involves complex procedures and high stakes, which may contribute to unique stressors for practitioners.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of moral injury (MI) among interventional radiologists.
• To assess the relationship between MI and quality of life (QoL) in this professional group.
• To identify key factors contributing to and mitigating MI in interventional radiology.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous online survey was distributed to interventional radiologists.
• Validated assessment tools, including the MI Symptom Scale‑Healthcare Professional (MISS-HP) and a global QoL scale, were used.
• Data analysis included statistical comparisons and thematic analysis of open-ended responses.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of interventional radiologists (61.1%) reported experiencing moral injury (MI), indicated by a MISS-HP score ≥ 36.
• MI was negatively correlated with quality of life (QoL) (r = -0.4; P < .001), with lower QoL reported in the MI subgroup.
• Key contributors to MI included ineffective leadership, barriers to patient care, and the corporatization of medicine; solutions proposed involved increased autonomy and administrative support.

Conclusions:

• Moral injury (MI) is prevalent within the interventional radiology profession and is associated with diminished quality of life (QoL).
• Addressing systemic issues such as leadership, bureaucracy, and resource allocation is crucial for mitigating MI.
• Further research is warranted to explore causative factors and develop effective interventions to support interventional radiologists' well-being.