Compassion Fatigue: A Case Study

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CF is defined as the formal caregiver's reduced capacity or interest in being empathic or “bearing the suffering of clients” and is “the natural consequent behaviors and emotions resulting from knowing about a traumatizing event experienced or suffered by a person” (Figley, 1995, p. 7; see also Figley 2002a) CF is a unique form of burnout affecting people in the caregiving professions (Joinson, 1992). Figley asserted that the process of CF to be synonymous with STS and differentiated from post-traumatic stress disorder in that the individual is exposed to the traumatized or suffering person rather than the traumatic event (Sabo, 2006). CF is a secondary traumatic stress reaction resulting from helping, or desiring to help a suffering person from traumatic events. Hence using the PROQOL, Compassion fatigue (CF) is also referred to as secondary traumatic stress (STS) and they are used interchangeably. According to Stamm (2005), secondary exposure to extremely stressful events as a result of your work, for instance, by repeatedly hearing stories about the traumatic things that happen to other people can put a helper at risk of CF/STS. Although CF and STS are often used interchangeably, it is important to differentiate that STS usually focuses on symptoms that parallel to Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, while CF encompasses broader philosophical and policy work …show more content…
Thus, when therapists, doctors, nurses, or child protection workers report symptoms related to re-experiencing the client's traumatic event, wishing to avoid both the client and reminders of the client's trauma, and feeling persistent arousal due to intimate knowledge about the client's traumatic experiences, they are likely suffering from secondary trauma (Figley, 1995, 2002a; Jenkins & Baird, 2002; Schauben & Frazier,

Compassion Fatigue Case Study

response to traumatic stress later in life. Whatever the cause, we’ve found that once a caregiver contracts the negative symptoms of compassion fatigue, they won’t fully resolve until distorted beliefs about self and the world are addressed. This is especially true for the ways in which we supervise and motivate ourselves. Caregivers recovering from compassion fatigue will need to soften their critical and coercive self-talk and shift toward a more self-accepting and affirming language and tone. For…

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Case Study: Compassion Fatigue

assessed a need for training on a person level based on the “compassion fatigue” and “sadness [and] despair” that individual nurses experienced. Finally, the hospital assessed a need for training on a task level by identifying that the nurses “failed to deliver quality care, when they fail to notice or correctly interpret patient’s needs.” The nurses were not adequately fulfilling their required tasks. Overall, the problem of “compassion fatigue” required training because of the problems it caused on…

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Compassion Fatigue: A Case Study

Intense exposure to work stress factors negatively impacts on the psychological well-being of nurses. The most commonly reported consequence of occupational stress are compassion fatigue and burnout. Compassion Fatigue (CF), also known as vicarious traumatisation, is the physical/emotional state of distress experienced from the performance of care over patients suffering from pain, resulting to physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion, cynicism and a low sense of personal accomplishment. CF is…

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ACA Code Of Ethics And Compassion Fatigue Case Study

counselor’s career, he or she will begin to feel the effects of compassion fatigue. What is important to understand from a counselor perspective is to be able to recognize the signs and symptom of compassion fatigue. By recogning the early warning signs, a counselor may be able plan in his or her life, and prevent becoming completely burned-out. The importance of self-care cannot be stressed enough. ACA Code of Ethics and Compassion Fatigue There are several references in the ACA guidelines that speak…

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Compassion Fatigue, Caregiver Burnout, And Other Related Issues

the Topic of Compassion Fatigue, Caregiver Burnout, and other Related Issues. Robert J. Lopez Grand Canyon University: HLT-310V | Combating Compassion Fatigue October 26, 2014 Abstract As Health Care Providers we will come across many different faiths, Religious cultures and beliefs during our practice. This alone can place a lot of stress, which mean fatigue, burnout and other related issues that may effect on how well we will care for their patients. But losing sight compassion fatigue and of burnout…

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Veterinary Medicine: A Case Study

In today's world veterinarians suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts due to work related stress, debt from years of study, and personnel attachments to their patients. This is a serious topic that we need to bring awareness to. When a veterinarian is emotionally invested in a patient it can affect their mental wellness if they must euthanize them. The increasing cost of surgery and medicine in the veterinary field has given veterinarians a bad reputation because people do not want to pay so…

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Summary: The Ethical Decision Making Model

The case study I selected for this week's assignment is the case of a new 25 year-old counselor name Elaine who relocated to another state to accept her new position as a counselor (Herlihy & Corey, 2015). Elaine is suffering from compassion fatigue. In addition, Elaine is also reliving unresolved issues, as a result of one of her clients issues. Elaine is feeling alone and is questioning her abilities as a counselor. Elaine is not utilizing self-care and as a result it is beginning to affect…

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Questions On Crisis

Review Crisis/Respiratory 50 Q/A Multiple choice T/F Case study (multiple choice) Define crisis - Primary goals/considerations What would you do in the following situations: Crisis Long term illness Rehab process Palliative care Clinical manifestations of a client in crisis Anxiety increase Increase HR Body language/ verbal Diaphoresis withdrawn Increase BP Life is out of their control Hopelessness Suicidal ideation Increase RR Confusion Associated interventions…

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Nurse Burnout Research Paper

Nursing Professor Robert Ross May 2, 2024. The nursing profession is a noble calling that requires a special blend of medical knowledge and social skills. Nurses provide care and comfort to individuals at their most vulnerable moments with compassion, empathy, and resilience. Through their deeply fulfilling profession, nurses directly witness the profound impact they have on their patients' lives. However, exposure to the harsh reality of human suffering is also what makes nursing so difficult…

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Remote Field Experience

The danger of burnout and compassion fatigue is that it not only has negative consequences for the mental health worker, but also for the clients through reduction of the professional’s capacity to adequately support them. As students moving into a professional role it is important to recognise and take responsibility for your own mental health. It is important to notice the signs of burnout and compassion fatigue, as well as ways to protect yourself from them with…

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