Minimising compassion fatigue in obstetrics/gynaecology doctors: exploring an intervention for an occupational hazard

Aim: To explore the indicators of occupational stress in a group of obstetrics and gynaecology doctors and to investigate the impact of work-focused discussion groups over a 6 month period. Methods: The ProQOL questionnaire was used to measure the efficacy of monthly psychiatrist-led Balint style discussion groups on minimising Compassion Fatigue (consisting of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout). The 25 doctors were given the given the ProQOL questionnaire to complete: (a) at the initiation of the intervention in July 2015, (b) in October 2015, and (c) in December 2015. Results: Significantly decreased levels of Secondary Traumatic Stress ( p=0.008), Burnout ( p=0.010), as well as significantly increased rates of Compassion Satisfaction ( p=0.035) were recorded. Participants requested that the groups be continued. Conclusions: Psychiatrist-led work focused discussion groups were associated with improved rates of Secondary Traumatic Stress, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction in this sample group.

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Impact of Exposure to Patient Death or Near Death on Compassion Fatigue in Pediatric Intensive Care Nurses

American Journal of Critical Care ◽

10.4037/ajcc2020222 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 285-291

Author(s):

Kyle S. Richardson ◽

Meredith MacKenzie Greenle

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Pediatric Intensive Care ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Patient Death ◽

Intensive Care Nurses ◽

The Impact

Background Compassion fatigue affects up to 40% of health care professionals who work in intensive care settings. Frequent exposure to the death of patients, particularly children, may put nurses at risk for compassion fatigue, but the relation between these is unclear among those working in pediatric intensive care units. Objectives To examine the relationship between exposure to the death or near death of a pediatric patient and compassion fatigue, specifically the outcomes of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. Methods Pediatric and neonatal intensive care nurses were surveyed about their exposure to patient death and near-death experiences. They were asked to respond to the Professional Quality of Life Scale, which has 3 subscales that measure compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression modeling was used to identify correlates of these outcomes. Results Of the 65 respondents, 94% were female, 41% were aged 31 to 45 years, and 71% had a bachelor’s degree. No significant relationship was found between nurses’ experiences of patient death or near death and their compassion satisfaction, burnout, or secondary traumatic stress. Significant correlates of compassion satisfaction and burnout included educational level and an age-experience interaction. Conclusions No relationship seems to exist between nurses’ experiences of patient death or near death and their compassion satisfaction, burnout, or secondary traumatic stress. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of educational attainment on nurse outcomes and determine how best to support nurses who are at risk for compassion fatigue.

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

Journal of Transcultural Nursing ◽

10.1177/1043659619838876 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 59-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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.

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Psychological distress constructs in police with different roles

International Journal of Emergency Services ◽

10.1108/ijes-06-2018-0033 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 264-279 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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.

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Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among emergency medical technicians in Iran

Australasian Journal of Paramedicine ◽

10.33151/ajp.17.642 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Javad Dehghannezhad ◽

Vahid Zamanzadeh ◽

Neda Gilani ◽

Azad Rahmani ◽

Abbas Dadashzadeh

Keyword(s):

Marital Status ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Correlation Study ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Hospital Emergency ◽

Occupational Burnout ◽

Software Release

IntroductionEmergency medical technicians who provide emergency care for patients in a critical condition often experience compassion satisfaction through assisting these patients. However, helping ill and injured patients can also lead to compassion fatigue. Identifying the link between compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue is important to enhance patient care.MethodsThis is a descriptive correlation study. A total of 248 pre-hospital emergency personnel from pre-hospital emergency centres in East Azarbaijan, Iran, were selected by cluster sampling. Professional quality of life tools, including compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue (occupational burnout, secondary traumatic stress) were employed. Data was modeled on Stata Statistical Software: Release 14, and the correlation between factors was investigated through Pearson and Canonical correlation analyses.ResultsThe average scores of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue were moderate. Reverse relationship and mean negative correlation (r=-0.40) were obtained between the two areas. In the ‘compassion fatigue’ category, the secondary traumatic stress sub-scale had a higher focal load (0.96) in comparison to burnout (0.32). Education, workplace and workload were significantly correlated with compassion fatigue, as were marital status and workplace with compassion satisfaction.ConclusionThe model indicated that compassion satisfaction correlates inversely with compassion fatigue. Workplace, workload reduction, marital status and educational promotion reduce compassion fatigue therefore to enhance pre-hospital care these factors should be taken into consideration.

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Secondary Traumatization in Pediatric Healthcare Providers: Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying ◽

10.2190/om.60.2.a ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 103-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

Patrick Meadors ◽

Angela Lamson ◽

Mel Swanson ◽

Mark White ◽

Natalia Sira

Keyword(s):

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Online Survey ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Secondary Traumatization ◽

The Difference ◽

Pediatric Healthcare ◽

The Impact ◽

E Mail

The primary aim for this research was to explore the overlap and differences between the concepts related to secondary traumatization: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), secondary traumatic stress (STS), compassion fatigue (CF), and burnout (BRN). A secondary aim for this research was to examine the impact of secondary traumatization and some of the personal and professional elements that affect how pediatric healthcare providers experience PTSD, STS, CF, and BRN. An online survey was sent via e-mail to numerous list serves for healthcare providers who had worked on PICU, NICU, or PEDS units within the last year. The analyses revealed that a significant overlap existed between the terms of STS, PTSD, BRN, CS, and CF for PICU, NICU, and PEDS providers. However, a hierarchical linear regression revealed a significant amount of unique contributions to the variance in CF based on each of the measured concepts. Despite previous literature that indicates that the terms STS and CF can be used interchangeably, the two most prominent measures utilized in the assessment of CF and STS are actually capturing at least some unique elements. Given these results, future researchers should examine and conceptualize the difference in etiology, prevalence, symptoms, and treatment efficacy for CF and STS as separate but related entities and then return their focus to understanding secondary traumatization in healthcare providers.

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Secondary traumatic stress, burnout and compassion satisfaction among Flemish foster care workers during the COVID-19 lockdown

Developmental Child Welfare ◽

10.1177/2516103220987227 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 227-243

Author(s):

Camille Verheyden ◽

Frank Van Holen ◽

Delphine West ◽

Johan Vanderfaeillie

Keyword(s):

Foster Care ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Emotional Stability ◽

Birth Parents ◽

Care Workers ◽

Quality Of Life Scale ◽

Foster Care Workers ◽

The Impact

This study examines secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout and compassion satisfaction (CS) in Flemish foster care workers (FCW) during the COVID-19 lockdown. Even though child welfare workers are at increased risk for STS and burnout, these constructs have not been studied in FCW so far. Additionally, the COVID-19 measures severely impacted Flemish FCW’s work, personal and client environment, possibly stimulating the onset of STS and burnout and weakening CS. Moreover, this study aims to identify the work, client and personal factors determining high levels of STS and burnout and low levels of CS among FCW during the lockdown. STS, burnout and CS levels from 434 Flemish FCW were inquired with the Professional Quality of Life Scale. Low mean levels of STS and moderate mean levels of burnout and CS were reported during the lockdown. FCW who experienced a negative impact of COVID-19 measures on their work, had a high amount of worrisome placements due to birth parents in their caseload and low emotional stability are an at-risk group for both STS and burnout during the lockdown. CS was strongly determined by the impact of the COVID-19 measures on work and personality traits. Emotional stability determined the three outcome variables, making this a key characteristics for FCW during the lockdown. Consequently, during adverse circumstances, foster care agencies should pay extra attention and offer additional support to those FCW they estimate emotionally less stable and who struggle with the birth parents in their caseload.

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

10.28971/532021tn101 ◽

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.

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A Study of the Self-Reported Resilience of APC Chaplains

Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling Advancing theory and professional practice through scholarly and reflective publications ◽

10.1177/1542305018773698 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 72 (2) ◽

pp. 99-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ronald Oliver ◽

Brian Hughes ◽

Geoffrey Weiss

Keyword(s):

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

The Self ◽

Significant Finding ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Professional Quality ◽

Life Instrument

Approximately 5000 members of the Association of Professional Chaplains were surveyed using the Professional Quality of Life instrument in order to assess levels of Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue and its associated subscales, Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress; 1299 surveys were completed. The most significant finding of this study is that Board Certified Chaplains have remarkably low scores of Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress and significantly high levels of Compassion Satisfaction.

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An investigation of the prevalence of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and burnout in those working in animal-related occupations using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) Scale

The Veterinary Nurse ◽

10.12968/vetn.2019.10.5.276 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 276-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rebekah L Scotney ◽

Deidre McLaughlin ◽

Helen L Keates

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Compassion Fatigue ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽

Compassion Satisfaction ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Satisfaction Scale ◽

Professional Quality ◽

The Mean

Background: Animal-related occupational stress and compassion fatigue are important issues as they can have a negative impact on employee mental wellbeing, workplace productivity and morale. The impacts of these conditions are notable and have become more recognised by those who are employed in animal-related occupations. Aims: This study aims to investigate the incidence of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue (burnout and secondary traumatic stress) in those working in animal-related occupations using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) Scale. Methods: Data were collected from 229 employees from a range of animal-related occupations using an anonymous self-report survey. Results: Most respondents were employed in veterinary practice (either veterinarians or veterinary nurses/technicians) and 85% of all respondents were female. 42% of participants were between 26 and 35 years of age and, 71% had been working in animal-related occupations between 1 and 10 years. Most participants scored in the mean or top quartile on the compassion satisfaction scale; however, about a quarter reported a score which indicated that they were deriving less satisfaction from their work. Low burnout was reported by 78% of participants; however, 21% of participants had a score which indicated that they were at higher risk of burnout. Low or average symptoms of secondary traumatic stress was reported by 74% of participants; however, 25.8% were at risk of secondary traumatic stress. While most of the surveyed population scored in the mean or top quartile on the compassion satisfaction scale, all of the occupational categories reported experiencing the negative aspects of caring: burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Conclusion: The prevalence of compassion fatigue demonstrated in these results should be a major concern in animal-related occupations and thus, be used as a beneficial, contextualised resource to inform resilience training programmes and preventative strategies specifically targeted towards those working in animal-related occupations.

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