4. Financial medicine as a source of moral distress: An unrecognised pathway to moral injury in the South African EMS systems

Financial medicine as a source of moral distress: An unrecognised pathway to moral injury in the South African EMS systems

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Average read time: 20 to 25 minutes

Short Summary of the Article:

The article, “Financial medicine as a source of moral distress: An unrecognized pathway to moral injury in the South African EMS systems”, investigates the unethical practice of “financial medicine” in prehospital emergency care in South Africa. Financial medicine is defined as providing medical care or interventions with financial profit as the primary goal rather than patient well-being. This practice leads to moral distress among emergency personnel, who are often forced to choose between ethical patient care and financial pressures. Persistent moral distress can evolve into moral injury, which in turn contributes to burnout among emergency medical service (EMS) staff. The paper emphasizes the need for ethical reforms to support EMS professionals and protect patient-centered care.

Learning Outcomes 

Upon completion of this activity, you should have an understanding of:

1. The detrimental impact of financial medicine on ethical patient care, and how prioritizing financial gain can lead to moral distress among healthcare providers.
2. The progression from moral distress to moral injury, and its contribution to burnout and poor retention of EMS personnel in the South African context.
3. The necessity of ethical reforms and support systems to mitigate the effects of financial medicine and foster a more sustainable and patient-focused healthcare environment.