We frequently hear about caregiver fatigue for family members or friends of a loved one. But how often do we acknowledge compassion fatigue for those of us who are caregivers as our profession? Compassion fatigue may lead to loss of compassion, cynicism, impact quality of care and increase the stress of the work place.
Compassion fatigue was first noted only a couple of decades ago as impacting those who care for the sick, ailing and dying. As healthcare providers, we learn to compartmentalize the losses that we experience in our daily work lives. We feel that we have the innate coping mechanisms to not let the trials of life and death touch us. We are working in stressful environments and have super coping skills.
Not so! Healthcare providers work in high stress, high intensity care situations, and there is little ability to leave the nursing unit, emergency department or intensive care unit where we work. Even though the length of stay may be short, there are still losses we have to deal with.
Another area of compassion fatigue that may be overlooked is for those who work with seniors, hospice workers and others who deal with loss of life as part of the journey of illness or aging. Professionals who work in these arenas must evaluate their personal feelings and the impact that their fatigue may have on their ability to do their work with the spirit that is required. The professional may need to take a break from a care giving environment to heal and to heal their spirit.
There is substantial research on the psychological impact of acute trauma in natural disasters. Is the work that we do any different than that? Our bodies are constantly on high alert. Our stress hormones are in over drive.
Be kind to yourself. Recognize the compassion fatigue that you may feel and reach out for help. Asking for help is not a weakness but a strength. Healthcare workers are not immune to compassion fatigue, and our lack of recognition of it can impact our work.