Compassion Fatigue
Running head: COMPASSION FATIGUE
Compassion Fatigue
Amber Norris
Grand Canyon University:
HLT-310V
March 30, 2013
Compassion Fatigue
“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me
The health care industry is made up of nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals who are dedicated to the care and healing of others. The modern medical field is a very fast-paced, stressful, and demanding environment. Often, the constant stress and demands of the job can adversely affect the healthcare provider. Not surprisingly, those who go into the healthcare industry, do so because they have a sincere desire to make a difference in people’s lives and provide care for a patient’s spiritual, mental, and physical needs. However, this type of career requires energy and dedication way beyond that of other comparable careers. “Compassion fatigue” is a common side-effect. “Compassion fatigue” can be defined as, “the gradual decline of compassion over time as a result of caregivers being exposed to events that have traumatized their patients (Cherry 497).” In fact, the damage that results from this condition has been linked to more sick days, high turnover rates, and decreased productivity. If left untreated, this condition can adversely affect patient safety, so it is vital that hospitals and healthcare providers are able to accurately recognize compassion fatigue and treat it early. (Landro, L. 2012)
Compassion is an important and critical gift necessary for the care of others. Compassion can be defined as, “sympathetic consciousness of others ' distress together with a desire to alleviate it” (Merriam-Webster 2013). No one is immune to compassion fatigue. In fact, anyone caring for another person can suffer from it. However,
Compassion Fatigue
Amber Norris
Grand Canyon University:
HLT-310V
March 30, 2013
Compassion Fatigue
“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me
The health care industry is made up of nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals who are dedicated to the care and healing of others. The modern medical field is a very fast-paced, stressful, and demanding environment. Often, the constant stress and demands of the job can adversely affect the healthcare provider. Not surprisingly, those who go into the healthcare industry, do so because they have a sincere desire to make a difference in people’s lives and provide care for a patient’s spiritual, mental, and physical needs. However, this type of career requires energy and dedication way beyond that of other comparable careers. “Compassion fatigue” is a common side-effect. “Compassion fatigue” can be defined as, “the gradual decline of compassion over time as a result of caregivers being exposed to events that have traumatized their patients (Cherry 497).” In fact, the damage that results from this condition has been linked to more sick days, high turnover rates, and decreased productivity. If left untreated, this condition can adversely affect patient safety, so it is vital that hospitals and healthcare providers are able to accurately recognize compassion fatigue and treat it early. (Landro, L. 2012)
Compassion is an important and critical gift necessary for the care of others. Compassion can be defined as, “sympathetic consciousness of others ' distress together with a desire to alleviate it” (Merriam-Webster 2013). No one is immune to compassion fatigue. In fact, anyone caring for another person can suffer from it. However,
References: Boyle, D., (2011) "Countering Compassion Fatigue: A Requisite Nursing Agenda" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 16, No. 1, Manuscript 2. Cherry, Jacob. Contemporary Nursing: Issues, Trends, and Management, 5th Edition. Mosby, 2011. . Eagan, T. (2012) Compassion Fatigue Retrieved April 3rd 2013 from: http://moonviewsanctuary.com/research/CompassionFatigueArticle2.pdf Frandsen, B Lombardo, B., Eyre, C., (Jan 31, 2011) "Compassion Fatigue: A Nurse’s Primer" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 16, No. 1, Manuscript 3. Mother Teresa (n.d.) Quotes Retrieved April 7th, 2013 from: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/149363-i-would-rather-make-mistakes-in-kindness-and-compassion-than Pfifferling, J., Gilley, K Portnoy, D. (2011) Burnout and Compassion Fatigue Watch for the Signs Retrieved April 3rd, 2013 from: http://www.compassionfatigue.org/pages/healthprogress.pdf StopPain.org (2013) Your Needs Thich Nhat Hanh (n.d.) Quotes Retrieved April 6th, 2013 from: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/190372-compassion-is-a-verb Varner, J