Combatting Moral Injury Through Advocacy: One Rehabilitation Unit's Experience Pushing Back Against Pediatric Firearm Violence 1906

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Location: ROOM: Conference Room 4C >>> DIRECTIONS Fourth Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, proceed left. Room 4C is at the end of the corridor, just beyond 4D

Corresponding Presenter(s)

Sarah Carter, LCSW-C (she/her/hers)

Clinical Social Worker
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore, MD, United States

Slides Slides

Presenter(s)

Laura E. Black, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore, MD, United States

Healthcare provider burnout is pervasive, with providers naming insurance issues, volume of patients, and post-pandemic conditions as causes. As firearm injuries increase, another factor contributing to burnout could be moral distress at treating grievously wounded patients whose injuries are preventable. Research shows that advocacy is an effective tool to combat burnout. Participants will learn about one pediatric rehabilitation unit’s efforts to combat the moral distress and burnout associated with firearm injury through advocacy.

Learning Objectives:

Describe causes of healthcare provider burnout
Explain evidence that demonstrates that advocacy is an antidote to burnout
Identify at least two relevant issue areas in their own practice, that would benefit from healthcare provider advocacy
Describe the first steps necessary to undertaking advocacy efforts alongside clinical practice