scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study of Compassion Fatigue (CF), Burnout (BO), and Compassion Satisfaction (CS) in Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) Providers (S704)

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 657-658
Author(s):  
Samuel Kase ◽  
Elisha Waldman ◽  
Andrea Weintraub
2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 269-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel M. Kase ◽  
Elisha D. Waldman ◽  
Andrea S. Weintraub

AbstractObjectiveCompassion fatigue (CF) is secondary traumatic distress experienced by providers from contact with patients' suffering. Burnout (BO) is job-related distress resulting from uncontrollable workplace factors that manifest in career dissatisfaction. Compassion satisfaction (CS) is emotional fulfillment derived from caring for others. The literature on BO in healthcare providers is extensive, whereas CF and CS have not been comprehensively studied. Because of ongoing exposure to patient and family distress, pediatric palliative care (PPC) providers may be at particular risk for CF. We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study of CF, BO, and CS among PPC providers across the United States.MethodThe Compassion Fatigue and Satisfaction Self-Test for Helpers and a questionnaire of professional and personal characteristics were distributed electronically and anonymously to PPC physicians and nurses. Logistic and linear regression models for CF, BO, and CS as a function of potential risk factors were constructed.ResultsThe survey response rate was 39%, primarily consisting of female, Caucasian providers. The prevalence of CF, BO, and CS was 18%, 12%, and 25%, respectively. Distress about a “clinical situation,” physical exhaustion, and personal loss were identified as significant determinants of CF. Distress about “coworkers,” emotional depletion, social isolation, and “recent involvement in a clinical situation in which life-prolonging activities were not introduced” were significant determinants of BO. Physical exhaustion, personal history of trauma, “recent involvement in a clinical situation in which life-prolonging activities were not introduced,” and not discussing distressing issues were significant predictors of lower CS scores.Significance of resultsCF and BO directly influence the well-being and professional performance of PPC providers. To provide effective compassionate care to patients, PPC providers must be attentive to predictors of these phenomena. Further work is needed to explore additional causes of CF, BO, and CS in PPC providers as well as potential interventions.


2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria E. Carlsson

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to explore the significance of fatigue among relatives of palliative patients.Method:This pilot study has a descriptive and cross-sectional design and is the report of four open-ended questions focusing on the relatives' experiences of fatigue. The study population consisted of relatives of patients who were cared for in palliative care settings either at home or in an institution in Uppsala County during a specific day.Results:The relatives were very tired and identified worries, uncertainty, the patient's suffering, and many demands as the causes for the fatigue. The most obvious consequences of the tiredness were a lack of motivation, feelings of insufficiency and apathy, and putting their own interests aside. Many relatives expressed that having the company of close family members, taking exercise and spending time outdoors gave them strength to carry on. The health care system could make the situation easier for relatives of patients in palliative care by providing good care for the patient, and psychosocial support and respite care for the relatives.Significance of results:The result of the pilot study is only preliminary, but it showed that relatives caring for patients in a late palliative phase suffer from great fatigue and require more attention, both scientifically and in the clinical settings.


CMAJ Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. E562-E568 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Widger ◽  
D. Davies ◽  
A. Rapoport ◽  
C. Vadeboncoeur ◽  
S. Liben ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 121-127
Author(s):  
Meagan Dwyer ◽  
Marcus Alt ◽  
Joanna Brooks ◽  
Hannah Katz ◽  
Albert Poje

Introduction. Healthcare systems are being bombarded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding burnout, compassion fatigue, and potential protective factors, such as compassion satisfaction, will be important in supporting the vital healthcare workforce. The goal of the current study was to understand the key factors of burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction among healthcare employees during the pandemic within the U.S. in April 2020. Methods. The authors conducted a single-center, cross-sectional online survey using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Questionnaire and three open-ended questions around stress and responses to stress during COVID-19 at a large Midwestern academic medical center with nearly 16,000 employees.    Results. Healthcare employees (613) representing over 25 professions or roles and 30 different departments within the health system were surveyed. Participants reported low levels of compassion fatigue and burnout, but moderate levels of compassion satisfaction. Compassion satisfaction was notably higher than prior literature. Key areas of stress outside of work included family, finances and housing, childcare and homeschooling, and personal health.  Conclusions. This was a cross-sectional survey, limiting causal analyses. Also, based on the qualitative responses, the ProQOL was somewhat insufficient in assessing the breadth of stressors, particularly outside of work, that healthcare employees faced due to the pandemic. Although compassion satisfaction was elevated during the initial phases of the pandemic, providing some possible protection against burnout, this may change as COVID-19 continues to surge. Healthcare systems are encouraged to assess and address the broad range of work and non-work-related stressors to best serve their vital workforce.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana Orrego Villegas ◽  
Karine Maria Posada España ◽  
Silvia Librada Flores ◽  
Juliana Lopera Solano

Abstract Background: Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) focuses on achieving quality of life and control the symptoms for children during the sickness process, also provide support to the family in order to relief suffering and give response to needs assessment. In Colombia, this subspecialty does not exist, as a result of not having clinic practice guides and information about the population who benefit under 18 years of age. This study is to approach the necessity of PPC in our country, defining a methodology to characterize and estimate prevalence of pediatric population who may need special care in order to develop an attention model. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted among 80,926 members between 0 and 18 years of age who has a private health insurance in Colombia between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. Data was obtained from the insurance transactional database. Patients were grouped based on the Association for children with life threatening conditions and their families (ACT) of the Royal College of Pediatrics four classifications plus perinatal group. Results were processed and analyzed using descriptive statistical functions in Microsoft Excel. Results: 1,694 patients (2,09%) were eligible to enter a PPC program according to their IDC-10 diagnoses based on ACT plus Perinatal Group classification. Approximately 54% were male, 57.97% were considered early childhood, 26.56% childhood and 15,47% adolescence. With regards to ACT classification and Perinatal Group; 55.55% of patients had diagnosis from Perinatal Group (55.55%) followed by group 4 (23.2%) and group 1 non-cancer (9.68%). Conclusion: Being able to identify patients in need of PPC programs early may increase it being utilize at the time of diagnosis and not wait till the end of life. This might also help alleviate misconception of PPC only being offered during the end of life period. This study should help with the development of public and private politics aimed to promote the creation of PPC programs in developing countries.


2018 ◽  
pp. 95-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikaela Dehlin ◽  
Lars-Gunnar Lundh

The pleasure derived from helping others is referred to as compassion satisfaction (CS). When a psychologist feels a too heavy demand to be compassionate and effective in helping, however, this may result in compassion fatigue (CF). CF may take the form of burnout or secondary traumatic stress (STS). The present paper focuses on two factors that may possibly protect against the development of CF, and facilitate the development of CS: (1) access to supervision and (2) a reflective stance. An online survey was distributed to two closed Swedish Facebook groups of psychologists, and complete data were obtained from 374 psychologists (320 women and 63 men). Both variable-oriented and person-oriented analyses were carried out. Correlational analysis showed that both supervision and reflection was associated with more CS, whereas only supervision but not reflection was significantly associated with less CF. Cluster analysis gave a more nuanced picture, suggesting a non-linear and multi-faceted association between reflection and CF. Some clusters of psychologists showed the expected association between level of reflection and level of CF. This was balanced, however, by other clusters that showed an association in the opposite direction, indicating high levels of reflection in clinicians with high levels of CF, and low levels in clinicians with low levels of CF. The results are discussed in terms of these differences in associative patterns possibly being due to different patient populations being involved. Among the limitations of the present study are its cross-sectional design, absence of data on patient characteristics, and a crude measure of supervision and reflection. Keywords: Compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, supervision, reflective stance


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