Silent Resignations: Navigating Moral Distress in Healthcare - A Literature Review on Quiet Quitting

This literature review delves into moral distress among healthcare professionals, examining its impact on their engagement and retention within the field. Moral distress occurs when healthcare workers are aware of ethically appropriate actions but face barriers preventing them from taking them. The concept of "quiet quitting" is explored as a response to chronic moral distress, where professionals minimize involvement as a form of self-preservation. Through analysis of various studies, the review highlights the prevalence, sources, and implications of moral distress, emphasizing the importance of understanding "quiet quitting" amidst ethical challenges in healthcare. Relevant literature underwent systematic retrieval and relevance assessment. However, limitations remain regarding the practical application of moral distress as an objective measurement tool. In summary, quiet quitting represents a multifactorial response to moral distress in healthcare, affected by individual, organizational, and systemic factors. These are essential for healthcare professional well-being and the integrity of patient care delivery.