Improving Retention Among Certified Nursing Assistants Through Compassion Fatigue Awareness and Self-Care Skills Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele M. Dreher ◽  
Ronda G. Hughes ◽  
Patricia A. Handley ◽  
Abbas S. Tavakoli
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Nursing Assistants ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Certified Nursing Assistants ◽  
Improvement Project

Background: Retention of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is an ongoing challenge for nursing homes. Purpose: To combat the effects of providing complex care needs to residents, this quality improvement project explored a 90-minute evidence-based education program on compassion fatigue awareness and multiple self-care skill strategies for CNA retention. Design: A single-group pre- and posttest design, mixed-methods approach. Method: A preintervention demographic survey, a postexperience survey, and the ProQOL (Professional Quality of Life; Version 5) tool measured the CNAs’ level of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress at three time points: preintervention, 1 month postintervention, and 3 months postintervention. Results: Forty-five CNAs participated. After 1 month, CNA retention increased by 43%, and at the end of the fourth month, the facility’s retention rate was 100%. Forty-four percent of the full-time supplemental agency CNAs became full-time facility employees. The use of supplemental agency staff decreased to less than 5% of the total CNA hours worked. CNAs improved their compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress scores. Conclusion: This education program proved to be an effective, low-cost intervention. The quality improvement project highlighted the need for additional study on holistic interventions such as workplace education programs addressing compassion fatigue awareness and self-care skill strategies in this understudied group of formal caregivers.

scholarly journals Compassion Fatigue in Critical Care Nurses: An Educational Quality Improvement Project

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Compassion Satisfaction ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Quality Improvement Project ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Educational Session

Compassion fatigue is estimated to affect 40% percent of the 2.9 million registered nurses in the United States. There exists a critical need to explore how nurses understand compassion fatigue, how they identify it in self and others, and what strategies they enact to lessen the eventual threats to health. With the current COVID pandemic, along with the high intensity nature of the intensive care unit (ICU), critical care nurses are vulnerable to the symptoms and side effects of compassion fatigue. This quality improvement project evaluated the impact of an educational session on compassion fatigue and self-care in relation to critical care nurses’ perceived levels of compassion fatigue. Pre education session and post educational session Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL-5) survey measuring perceived levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, were administered to a sample of critical care nurses in a community hospital in Massachusetts. The educational session was conducted via a virtual audio-enabled PowerPoint presentation. Pre and post education scores were assessed between time points to determine if the education was successful at decreasing perceived level of compassion fatigue. Post ProQOL scores presented a 6.76% increase in level compassion satisfaction, 3.28% decrease in level of burnout, and an 8.66% decrease in level of secondary traumatic stress. This project illustrates the potential for targeted education with critical care nurses as a vulnerable group who experience higher levels of compassion fatigue as a group. Strategies to reduce the effects of compassion fatigue have the potential to improve mental and emotional health essential for continual safe patient care with more positive outcomes in the critical care area.

scholarly journals A pilot study to test psychophonetics methodology for self-care and empathy in compassion fatigue, burnout and secondary traumatic stress

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine J. Train ◽  
Nadine Butler
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Pilot Test ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Home Based Care

Background: Home-based care is recognised as being a stressful occupation. Practitioners working with patients experiencing high levels of trauma may be susceptible to compassion fatigue, with the sustained need to remain empathic being a contributing factor.Objectives: The aim of this research was to evaluate psychophonetics methodology for self-care and empathy skills as an intervention for compassion fatigue. Objectives were to measure levels of compassion fatigue pre-intervention, then to apply the intervention and retest levels one month and six months post-intervention.Method: The research applied a pilot test of a developed intervention as a quasi-experiment.The study sample comprised home-based carers working with HIV-positive patients at a hospice in Grabouw, a settlement in the Western Cape facing socioeconomic challenge.Results: The result of the pilot study showed a statistically-significant improvement in secondary traumatic stress, a component of compassion fatigue, measured with the ProQOL v5 instrument post-intervention.Conclusion: The results gave adequate indication for the implementation of a larger study in order to apply and test the intervention. The study highlights a dire need for further research in this field.

Educators' Secondary Traumatic Stress, Children's Trauma, and the Need for Trauma Literacy

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
HAL A. LAWSON ◽  
JAMES C. CARINGI ◽  
RUTH GOTTFRIED ◽  
BRIAN E. BRIDE ◽  
STEPHEN P. HYDON
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
School Improvement ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Early Identification ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Personal Lives ◽  
Trauma Informed

In this essay, authors Lawson, Caringi, Gottfried, Bride, and Hydon introduce the concept of trauma literacy, connecting it to students' trauma and educators' secondary traumatic stress (STS). Interactions with traumatized students is one cause of STS; others derive from other traumatic encounters in schools and communities. Undesirable effects of STS start with professional disengagement and declining performance, include spill-over effects into educators' personal lives, and, ultimately, may cause them to leave the profession. The authors contend that alongside trauma-informed pedagogies and mental health services for students, mechanisms are needed for STS prevention, early identification, and rapid response. To benefit from and advance this dual framework, educators need a trauma-informed literacy that enables self-care, facilitates and safeguards interactions with trauma-impacted students and colleagues, and paves the way for expanded school improvement models.

scholarly journals Disseminating Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a Systematic Self-care Approach to Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress: PRACTICE What You Preach

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 1531-1543
Author(s):  
Esther Deblinger ◽  
Elisabeth Pollio ◽  
Beth Cooper ◽  
Robert A. Steer
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Treatment Implementation ◽  
Instrumental Social Support

Abstract This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training programs augmented with a systematic “PRACTICE What You Preach” (PWYP) self-care focus, which has trainees personally utilize the coping skills they teach their clients. Participants were 115 clinicians/supervisors who completed a PWYP TF-CBT training program. Pre- to post-training analyses documented significant increases in participants’ competency and fidelity in implementing TF-CBT (ps < .001), significantly more frequent use of coping skills including instrumental social support (p < .01), active coping (p < .001), humor (p < .01), and restraint (p < .01), and significant decreases in secondary traumatic stress (STS; p < .001). Children’s symptoms of PTSD (ps < .001) and behavior problems (p < .05) also decreased significantly. This preliminary evidence suggests that training augmented with PWYP may enhance clinicians’/supervisors’ personal coping and reduce their levels of STS without compromising treatment implementation efforts and client outcomes.

Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Critical Care Nurses in Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedigheh Salimi ◽  
Vahid Pakpour ◽  
Azad Rahmani ◽  
Marian Wilson ◽  
Hossein Feizollahzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Compassion Satisfaction ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Professional Quality Of Life ◽  
Professional Quality

Introduction: This study investigated the relationship between compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among Iranian nurses working in critical care units. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey using the Professional Quality of Life instrument was administered to 400 nurses working in the intensive care units of Iranian hospitals. Results: High risk levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress existed among 42% and 96% of participants, respectively. Significant positive relationships were detected between burnout and secondary traumatic stress. An inverse relationship was detected between measures of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction. Discussion: To ensure culturally congruent care, it is important to evaluate professional quality of life within the context of specific cultures and societies. Iranian critical care nurses are at risk for burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Personal self-care and organizational wellness approaches that consider cultural norms should be designed to boost compassion satisfaction and reduce negative effects of stressful work environments.

Psychological distress constructs in police with different roles

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 264-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isobel Sheard ◽  
Melissa Ellen Burnett ◽  
Helen St Clair-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Compassion Satisfaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Police Personnel

Purpose Police personnel report relatively high rates of mental health difficulties, and are at an increased risk of experiencing stress, burnout, secondary traumatic stress and anxiety as a result of the nature of their work and may also experience low compassion satisfaction. However, it is likely that the prevalence of psychological distress varies across roles. The purpose of this paper is to explore psychological distress, in a large sample of police personnel, examining differences between individuals in a number of police roles. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire assessing experience of mental health problems, perceived stress, compassion fatigue (burnout and secondary traumatic stress), compassion satisfaction and anxiety was administered to 602 police personnel, who were classified into one of ten roles (24/7 officers, communications, firearms, crime, resolution without deployment, neighbourhood, custody, safeguarding, operations and other roles). Differences based on role and the requirement for shift work were then examined. Findings 24/7 officers had higher compassion fatigue and lower compassion satisfaction than individuals in a number of other roles. Firearms officers had lower levels of perceived stress and anxiety. Resolution without deployment officers reported higher secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue. The findings also revealed that respondents who partake in shift work showed higher levels of perceived stress. Originality/value This is the first study to the authors’ knowledge to investigate experience of mental health problems and reports of psychological distress in different roles within a UK police force. The findings have important implications, for example, in terms of identifying groups who may be particularly at risk from psychological distress.

scholarly journals Improving heart failure transitional care after hospital discharge: A quality improvement project

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Janelle N. Akomah ◽  
Lynn Richards-McDonald ◽  
Diana-Lyn Baptiste
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Hospital Readmission ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Health Care Expenditures ◽  
The United States ◽  
Quality Improvement Project ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Care Clinic

Background and objective: The burden of heart failure is growing, affecting more than 6 million Americans and an estimated of 26 million worldwide. Heart failure is the most common cause of hospital readmission in the United States and is identified as a marker of poor health outcomes. Thirty day readmission contribute to more than $30 billion dollars in health care expenditures, underscoring a need for the development and implementation of programs that reduce readmission and improve outcomes for individuals with heart failure. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a heart failure education program to increase attendance to a transitional care clinic and reduce 30-day readmissions.Methods: We included 22 individuals who received heart failure education, focused on symptom management and transitional care. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed to examine attendance to the transitional care clinic and 30-day readmission.Results: There was a statistical significance between individuals attending follow-up at the designated transitional care clinic and 30-day hospital readmission (p ≤ .05). Of the (N = 22) participants, 64% were not readmitted into the hospital 30 days after discharge.Conclusions: The findings of this project demonstrate that a nurse-led evidence-based heart failure education program can improve attendance to transitional care programs and reduce 30-day readmissions. A well-designed plan for transitional care remains a critical component of patient care necessary to address complications and optimize continuity of care after discharge.

scholarly journals Psychosocial impacts of training to provide professional help: Harm and growth

Trauma ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 146040862096834
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Ball ◽  
Clare Watsford ◽  
Brett Scholz
Keyword(s):  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Vicarious Trauma ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Moral Injury ◽  
Helping Professionals ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Clinical Psychology Program

Introduction Research has consistently demonstrated professionals in helping roles (“helping professionals”) experience vicarious trauma, moral injury, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout. Vicarious post-traumatic growth has also been identified in the literature. This article aimed to contribute to understanding the experiences of these constructs of trainee helping professionals. Emphasis was placed on how to foster vicarious post-traumatic growth. Methods A qualitative semi-structured interview was designed to enable the researchers to explore the experiences of 14 trainee psychologists from an Australian Master of Clinical Psychology program. Results It was identified that burnout, and beginning stages of vicarious trauma, moral injury, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress might occur during psychologists’ training. Five elements underpin vicarious post-traumatic growth, four of which were reflected in this article. A need and suggestions for how to further develop vicarious post-traumatic growth are discussed. Conclusion This research could go on to be applied to curriculum development and practice policy, ultimately leading to improved early-intervention and ongoing systems of support for helping professionals. This, in turn, would improve quality of care in communities.

Compassion Fatigue Among Palliative Care Clinicians: Findings on Personality Factors and Years of Service

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean O’Mahony ◽  
Maisa Ziadni ◽  
Michael Hoerger ◽  
Stacie Levine ◽  
Aliza Baron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Palliative Medicine ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Routine Basis

Objectives: Palliative medicine is a rewarding field, but providers encounter patient trauma on a routine basis. Compassion fatigue, marked by burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and low satisfaction may result. However, professionals differ markedly in how they respond to patient trauma. The objective of the current study was to determine whether personality traits of neuroticism and agreeableness relate to aspects of compassion fatigue, after accounting for time spent working in the field. Methods: Sixty-six palliative medicine physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains completed validated measures of personality traits, compassion fatigue, and work background. Results: Providers who had worked longer reported higher levels of satisfaction and lower levels of burnout. Neuroticism demonstrated strong significant associations with secondary traumatic stress and burnout ( Ps < .001). Agreeableness was significantly and strongly associated with compassion satisfaction ( P < .001). These associations held after accounting for years spent working in the field. Significance of Results: Personality traits of neuroticism and agreeableness may convey risk and resilience, respectively, for palliative care professionals. More research is needed to determine if assessing personality traits can help identify providers at risk for adverse reactions to patient trauma.

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