For the 2025 Occupational Health and Safety Week (OHS), which runs from October 19 to 25, 2025, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec–FIQ decided to highlight an issue that is all too often overlooked: the moral distress that healthcare professionals experience.

When work keeps you from providing care

Moral distress occurs when someone knows what must be done to provide quality care, but they cannot do it because of organizational constraints, a lack of resources or imposed decisions. Feeling powerless damages mental and physical health: fatigue, anxiety, sleep disorders and professional burnout are common consequences.

According to a survey that the FIQ conducted in 2023, 83% of healthcare professionals believe that the main factor behind omitted care is the workload. This phenomenon, known as “impeded quality” is becoming a major risk for staff health and safety.

An issue recognized by the law

Since the Act to modernize the occupational health and safety regime was adopted, psychosocial risk prevention (including moral distress) has become an employer obligation. Institutions therefore must adapt their work organization and practices to protect the physical and mental health of healthcare professionals.

For a more humane network

By showcasing this topic, the FIQ is emphasizing the urgent need to rethink work organization in the health network. Moral distress is not an individual problem: it is a symptom of a system that prevents healthcare professionals from using their judgement and expertise in healthy, safe conditions.

Protecting care professionals also means protecting the quality of care the population receives.