Compassion Fatigue

Presented by:Jim Messina, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Lead Disaster Mental Health ServicesTampa Bay Chapter of American Red Cross

Psychologist with: St. Joseph’s Hospital, Vericare, Argosy UniversityPresentation Available on: www.jamesjmessina.com

"The pessimist complains about the wind;

The optimist expects it to change; The realist adjusts the sails."

William Arthur Ward

Goals for Our Program

1. Identify the signs and symptoms of Compassion Fatigue

2. Identify strategies for the prevention of Compassion Fatigue

3. Problem solve solutions for recovering from or dealing with acute Compassion Fatigue

What is Compassion Fatigue (CF)?

Compassion fatigue is thought to be a combination of secondary traumatization and burnout precipitated by the care delivery that brings health-care professionals into contact with the suffering

Szabo, B. (2006). Compassion fatigue and nursing work: Can we accurately capture the consequences of caring work? International Journal of Nursing Practice: 12: 136–142.

Difference between CF and Burnout

"Compassion fatigue is when caregivers have such deep empathy they develop symptoms of trauma similar to the patient” according to director of the Army Institute of Surgical Research Col Kathryn Gaylord

The disorder can also resemble burn out which occurs when emotional exhaustion is experienced due to increased workload & institutional stress & does not involve trauma

Compassion fatigue can have detrimental effects on doctor patient relationships since doctors suffering from the disorder often either grow distant from patients or get too close

Wilson, E. (2008). New Program Offers Care for Caregivers. Department of Defense Military Health System News, 23 May 2008.

Secondary Traumatic Stress

People who come into continued, close contact with trauma survivors may also experience emotional disruption, becoming indirect victims of the trauma

The natural, consequent behaviors & emotions resulting from knowledge about a traumatizing event experienced by a significant other

The stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering person

Bride, B. (2007). Prevalence of Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Social Workers. Social Work: 51(2): 63-70.

Compassion Satisfaction Compassion satisfaction is the ability for

clinicians to derive a great sense of meaning & purpose from their work

It may aid in alleviating existential terror endemic to the human condition when a society is at war

It may be an important buffer in managing and transcending alterations in belief systems, and physiological or emotional reactions seen in compassion fatigue

Stamm (1999 and 2002) as quoted in: Tyson, J. (2007). Compassion Fatigue in the Treatment of Combat-Related Trauma During Wartime. Clinical Social Work Journal; 35:183–192

Major factors contributing to CF

1. Poor self-care2. Previous unresolved trauma3. Inability or refusal to control work

stressors4. Lack of satisfaction for the work Figley, C. R. (Ed.) (1995). Compassion fatigue: Coping

with secondary traumatic stress disorder in those who treat the traumatized. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

Predictors of CF among Hospice Nurses

1. Trauma2. Anxiety3. Life demands4. Excessive empathy (leading to

blurred professional boundaries) Abendroth, M. & Flannery, J. (2006). Predicting the

Risk of Compassion Fatigue: A Study of Hospice Nurses. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing: 8(6): 346-356.

Reason for Our Focus on CF

It is imperative that clinicians take steps to ensure that they are functioning at their best in the therapeutic relationship

Facilitating their own personal well–being and avoiding burnout is clearly one way in which this can be achieved

Linley, P.A. & Joseph, S. (2007). Therapy work and therapists’ positive and negative well-being. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology: 26(3):385–403.

Self-Assessment

Take the Compassion Self-Assessment

Rate each item on a scale from 1 to 10 1 = never experienced 5 = occasionally experienced 10 = frequently experienced

What does this Assessment Tell You?

If you rated three or more items over 8 or if you rated 5-10 over 5

You are most likely experiencing some level of compassion fatigue already

Characteristics of clinicians experiencing compassion fatigue

Physically: Chronic sense of exhaustion and fatigue, insomnia, headaches, stomachaches, lack of appetite, physical agitation or retardation, frequent bouts of sickness (e.g., colds, sore throats)

Psychologically: often feel irritable, are overwhelmed by the volume and content of their work

Relationship with Clients: sense a reduction in their baseline empathy for others, feel numb to patients’ and families’ pain, are cynical regarding clients’ ability to change and/or perceive them as being responsible for many of their problems

Organizationally: often report a sense of feeling scattered and unable to meet their professional & personal obligations

Mendenhall, T. (2006). Trauma-Response Teams: Inherent Challenges and Practical Strategies in Interdisciplinary Fieldwork. Families Systems, & Health: 24(3):357-362.

So Why Assess for CF It is expected that most clinicians will at times

experience symptoms of compassion fatigue, as these are normal reactions to trauma work.

However, for some clinicians the experience of compassion fatigue may become so severe as to interfere with their clinical effectiveness and their personal mental health.

It is for this reason that ongoing monitoring is necessary.

Bride, B., Radey, M. & Figley, C.R. (2007). Measuring Compassion Fatigue. Clinical Social Work Journal: 35:155-163.

Early Assessment Impact Instead of waiting for the clinicians to become

symptomatic use inventory tools to look for the presence of challenges to their fundamental assumptions, values & beliefs

With early assessment clinicians have the opportunity to transform their discomfort into personal growth & development

This should be the aim of a professional supervision and support model to address CF

Tehrani, N. (2007). The cost of caring – the impact of secondary trauma on assumptions, values and beliefs. Counselling Psychology Quarterly: 20(4): 325–339.

So What Does One Do to Overcome Compassion Fatigue?

Please break up into teams of 3-5 member to brainstorm 3 ideas to help individuals overcome or prevent compassion fatigue in their lives

OK let’s go!

What You Can Do! Recognize the symptoms of compassion fatigue Learn to ask for help Be aware and accept the limitations of your family, your job,

and yourself Maintain discipline in daily responsibilities and duties Take “time out” during the day Take short vacations at least twice a year Try to change little things that gnaw at you and accommodate

to those you can't change Organize your time so you can concentrate on vital tasks Admit compassion fatigue is a real problem for you and don't

try to cover it up Distinguish between stressful aspects of your job or home life

that you can change, and those you can't change-change what you can

What clinicians need to ward off CF

1. Boundary maintenance2. Self-care3. Good training4. Good supervision If given all 4 clinicians will thrive as

compassionate professionals Radey, M. & Figley, C.R. (2007). The Social Psychology of

Compassion. Clinical Social Work: 35(1):207–214

So What Can Be Done On the Job to Lessen Compassion Fatigue?

In your teams brainstorm three things which can be done on the job to lessen or prevent the impact of Compassion Fatigue!

Ok Let’s Go!

What can be done on the job!

Identify realistic attainable goals for each department and evaluate accordingly

Help staff to maintain personal growth both at home and on the job Encourage and support staff to develop an active outside life with

a variety of interests Encourage staff to personalize the work environment with

meaningful pictures, objects, colors, etc. Encourage staff to be comfortable with themselves by setting

limits how far to become involved with clients and colleagues Encourage and practice good communication skills on the job Provide for flexible working conditions on the job Encourage trying new ideas “outside of the box” Sponsor “decompression techniques” activities such as meditation

or exercise that relieve tension and put staff into a more relaxed state

Build support systems among staff to discuss problems and help each other look for solutions. Don't just air gripes - look for solutions

What one group is doing: This program offered staff a safe place,

among colleagues to discuss their recent feelings and de-stress

Participants were provided services such as yoga, meditation and therapeutic massage

All staff completed a Compassion Fatigue Survey

All staff were treated with a 45 minute therapeutic massage

Politsky, S. (2007) Revitalizing Yourself. Oncology Nursing Forum: 34(2): 494.

Training like this helps!!! Sprang et al, found that specialized trauma

training did enhance Compassion Satisfaction and reduced levels of Compassion Fatigue and Burnout, suggesting that knowledge and training might provide some protection against the deleterious effects of trauma exposure

Sprang, G., Clark, J. & Whitt-Woosley, A. (2007). Compassion Fatigue, Compassion Satisfaction, and Burnout: Factors Impacting A Professional’s Quality of Life. Journal of Law and Trauma, 12:259–280.

So there you have IT!

Dealing with Compassion Fatigue is a TEAM effort which requires administration, co-workers, your families and significant others to understand that it takes a lot of effort to prevent and deal with this insidious and disabling condition!

Best of Luck!