Preventing and Alleviating Compassion Fatigue Through Self-Care: An Educational Workshop for Nurses

Abstract

Though various authors have refined and described the concept of compassion fatigue (CF), the overarching features, predisposing factors, and potential consequences remain relatively consistent. Available literature demonstrates that caregivers caring for patients who are chronically ill and/or traumatized are at highest risk for developing CF. Potential consequences for unmitigated CF include physical, emotional, and work-related consequences, all of which can have negative effects on the quality and safety of care and degree of engagement with one's employer. CF is further exacerbated by exposure to cumulative, unresolved stress and neglect of one's own emotional needs over time. Caregivers must be knowledgeable on CF's risk factors, symptoms, and management strategies to decrease its incidence and negative impacts. This article details the creation, execution, and evaluation of an evidence-based practice change project implemented with the goal of increasing knowledge needed to prevent, identify, and alleviate CF in high-risk nurses. The project involved a series of educational workshops containing information on CF's risk factors, symptoms, and consequences, with a strong emphasis on self-awareness, self-care, and stress management. Pre- and postknowledge tests showed a significant increase in knowledge was achieved via the workshops, and qualitative surveys indicated a high level of participant satisfaction with the program contents, format, and impact.

Secondary traumatic stress experiences of nurses caring for cancer patients

“…It is not possible to change this in short term; therefore, creative strategies are needed to help reduce STS. To reduce the compassion fatigue levels of nurses, nurses must be trained about compassion fatigue, self‐care practices, and stress management (Adimando, ). Self‐care interventions come to the forefront in preventing STS or compassion fatigue.…”

Fadiga por compaixão em enfermeiros de urgência e emergência hospitalar de adultos

“…Compassion fatigue, which is considered one of the greatest threats to the mental health of health professionals 4 - 7 , is defined as “the natural, consequent behaviors and emotions resulting from knowing about a traumatizing event experienced by a significant other – the stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering person” 8 . Lately, the Professional Quality of Life model describes compassion fatigue as the combination of high burnout, secondary traumatic stress and low compassion satisfaction 9 .…”

“…The expressions of compassion fatigue are varied and have not always been valorized. They develop over time and compromise not only the physical, psychological, cognitive and spiritual health of professionals, but also their personal, social and professional life, with a negative impact on their well-being and quality of life, as well as on the health institutions and on the quality of care provided 4 - 5 , 14 - 16 . Considering that nurses have emotionally demanding tasks and work under stressful conditions 17 - 20 , this study aimed to assess compassion fatigue levels among nurses and its variation according socio-demographic and professional characteristics.…”

Improved Self-Esteem in Artists After Participating in the “Building Confidence and Self-Esteem Toolbox Workshop”

“…Many of the components, tools, and methods employed in the workshop are supported by previous studies demonstrating their ability to positively affect self-esteem. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (Thurston et al, 2017 ), meditation (Dahl et al, 2015 ; Fabiani et al, 2016 ; Hankey and Shetkar, 2016 ; Xiao et al, 2017 ), creative visualization (Fiske, 2017 ), introspective reflection and writing (Lauer and Goldfield, 1970 ; Chandler, 1990 ), self-care mindfulness (Adimando, 2017 ), ceremonial ritual (Wozniak and Allen, 2012 ), and self-compassion and mindfulness (Galla, 2016 ).…”