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Symposium Overview
Moral injury is the psychological distress that can occur in the aftermath of experiences that transgress deeply held moral standards. Research into moral injury has quickly polarized the military and other related communities in the way we conceptualize trauma and approach its sequelae. Moral injury is gaining recognition among many occupations and industries. Nevertheless, critical knowledge gaps still exist. This seminar will open with an introduction to moral injury, a summary of the research landscape, and current knowledge gaps. A moral injury guide for health care workers will provide a synthesis of the current scientific literature. Clinical applications of moral injury in Veterans and Public Safety Personnel will also be explored. Mr. Brian McKenna, a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, will shed light on a personal journey with moral injury.
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Moderator and Presenters
In order of appearance
Agenda
Unpacking Moral Injury: Current Understanding, Gaps, and Future Directions
Opening Remarks
Stéphanie Bélanger, CD, PhD, Associate Scientific Director, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research
Patrick Smith, PhD, President and CEO, Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders and Related Mental Health Conditions
What is Moral Injury? An Overview
Anthony Nazarov, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Western Ontario, The MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute
This presentation will provide a general introduction to the concept of moral injury and an overview of frameworks for conceptualizing moral injury. A summary of the research landscape and current knowledge gaps will be provided. The primary focus will include the current state of progress and directions on measurement, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of moral injury.
Q&A moderated by Dr. Patrick Smith
Moral Injury – Clinical Application for Public Safety Personnel and Veterans
Suzette Bremault-Phillips, PhD, MA, Associate Professor, Faculty of Rehabilitation - Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta
As research continues to grow regarding the impact of moral injury on military, veterans and public safety personnel, it is becoming clear that MI impacts persons across multiple wellbeing domains and therefore requires interventions from a variety of perspectives. This presentation will explore the state-of-science and innovative holistic practices for treating MI from a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach.
Q&A moderated by Dr. Patrick Smith
Moral Injury Amongst Healthcare Workers During COVID-19
Andrea Phelps, PhD, Associate Professor, Deputy Director, Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health
COVID 19 has created a perfect storm for the development of moral injury amongst healthcare workers: initial uncertainty about the best way to treat seriously ill patients; excess demand for limited healthcare resources; shortage of personal protective equipment; and the growing death toll. Phoenix Australia and the Canadian Centre of Excellence – PTSD have collaborated on the development of the Guide to Moral Injury Amongst Healthcare Workers During COVID-19, with a view to increasing the recognition of this risk and providing an evidence informed approach to risk mitigation. The presentation will include a brief review of the relevant background literature that was used to inform the elements of a comprehensive program of support to prevent the development of moral injury in healthcare workers. The program of support is based on a whole of organisation approach with consideration of key strategies for prevention at the level of the organisation, the team and individual workers.
Q&A moderated by Dr. Patrick Smith
Moral Injury: A Veteran’s Experience
Brian McKenna, CD, Strategic Advisor Veterans, Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders and Related Mental Health Conditions
Q&A moderated by Dr. Patrick Smith
Panel
Moderated by: Dr. Patrick Smith
Panelists: Dr. Anthony Nazarov, Dr. Suzette Bremault-Phillips, Associate Professor Andrea Phelps and Mr. Brian McKenna
