A qualitative study explored the perspectives of clinicians providing treatment for military-related cases of moral injury. Results highlight barriers to traditional treatment approaches in addressing moral injury (e.g., concerns about re-traumatizing patients and issues related to confidentiality and rapport). Clinicians highlighted the potential importance of holistic interventions which consider the individual’s specific needs and difficulties. Additionally, perspectives illustrated the need for more research into the experience and impact of moral injury, as well as specific training on delivering moral injury-specific care.
Read moreAdditionally, another qualitative study explored professional’s perspectives on treatment for moral injury and highlighted the perceived barriers to appropriate care and potential recommendations for effective care. Professionals were people who had experience in either providing clinical treatment, other forms of support, or carrying out evidence-based moral injury research. Clinicians expressed difficulties in treating moral injury due to a lack of current empirical evidence, neglect of unique patient needs, and the inflexibility of existing manualised treatments. This highlighted the need to evaluate current approaches and explore potential tailored pathways. Notably, we are currently exploring the effectiveness of the R&R treatment which may offer a promising treatment option. One of the themes identified in this study was recommendations for providing effective care to moral injury patients and this may be of specific interest to clinicians.
Specifically, the subthemes for recommendations included:
- An in‐depth understanding of the patient.
- The importance of being non‐judgmental when offering psychological care.
- The need for flexibility in psychological care for moral injury.
- Reconnection:
- Fostering self‐compassion in psychological care.
- Reconnection with social networks.
- The role of non-clinicians in psychological care for moral injury.
