Definitions and Terms

Moral Injury:

Moral injury can occur when someone engages in, fails to prevent, or witnesses acts that conflict with their values or beliefs. Examples of events that may lead to moral injury include:

  • Having to make decisions that affect the survival of others or where all options will lead to a negative outcome
  • Doing something that goes against your beliefs (referred to as an act of commission)
  • Failing to do something in line with your beliefs (referred to as an act of omission)
  • Witnessing or learning about such an act
  • Experiencing betrayal by trusted others.

Such potentially morally injurious experiences may lead to feelings of moral distress such as guilt, shame, and anger. Moral injury is the lasting psychological, spiritual, behavioral or social impact that may result from these experiences.” **

**Watson, P. et.al. Moral Injury in Healthcare Workers. PTSD: National Center for PTSD. US Department of Veterans Affairs.
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/moral_injury_hcw.asp

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Palliative Care:

The World Health Organization defines palliative care as “an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual.

Addressing suffering involves taking care of issues beyond physical symptoms. Palliative care uses a team approach to support patients and their caregivers. This includes addressing practical needs and providing bereavement counseling. It offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death. Palliative care is explicitly recognized under the human right to health.” 

Medical Complexity:

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “children with medical complexity (CMC), a subset of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), have multiple significant chronic health problems, functional limitations, high health care and resource need and/or utilization. They  may need medical technological devices to improve or sustain life and daily function….those who have medical and/or behavioral conditions that impact two or more body systems, have high utilization rates and needs for healthcare services, with technological assistance or dependence.”
https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/children-with-medical-complexity

Rare Disease:

According to the National Organizations For Rare Disorders (NORD) “A rare disease is a disease, disorder, illness or condition that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans. There are over 10,000 rare diseases that together affect more than 30 million Americans. “
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/

Medical Child Abuse:

Child Abuse Pediatrician: