Moral Injury Tied to Emergency Physician Attrition - Summary - MDSpire

Moral Injury Tied to Emergency Physician Attrition

Interviews with 46 emergency physicians pointed to resource constraints, moral injury, and rigid career structures as contributors to attrition.

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • June 19, 2026

  • 8 min

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Objective:

To explore the reasons behind the attrition of emergency physicians and identify potential retention strategies.

Approach:
    Key Findings:
    • Emergency physician attrition exceeds 5% annually, with burnout rates near 70%.
    • Participants reported a mismatch between rising demands and available resources, leading to moral injury.
    • Workplace violence and interpersonal conflict were common issues faced by emergency physicians.
    • Many wellness initiatives were viewed as inadequate due to unaddressed operational pressures.
    • Women physicians faced unique challenges related to caregiving and gender inequities.
    Interpretation:

    Burnout and moral injury are significant factors in emergency physician attrition, with systemic issues contributing to these experiences.

    Limitations:
    • The study's qualitative nature may limit generalizability.
    • Participants were self-selected, which could introduce bias.
    Conclusion:

    Addressing systemic issues, enhancing mental health support, and promoting work-life integration are critical for retaining emergency physicians.

    Sources:

Original Source(s)

Moral Injury Tied to Emergency Physician Attrition

  • by Andrea Surnit

  • June 19, 2026

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