Combating Compassion Fatigue - Essay Example

Compassion fatigue affiliation Compassion fatigue In the healthcare sector, the task of the practitioners exceeds the basic requirement of providing health care services. Staffs in medical institutions are required to support patients emotionally, spiritually and physically. For this reason, the interaction between the patient and the practitioners surpasses professional requirement. In an argument by Walton& Alvarez (2010) practitioners tend to connect with patients at a personal basis to increase their ability to understand their requirements. The authors further point out that, this connection exposes the practitioner to emotional and spiritual burden similar to that of the patient (Walton & Alvarez, 2010). If the connection is prolonged, the practitioner develops compassion fatigue. Yoder (2010) describes compassion fatigue as a vice that minimizes the efficiency of the practitioner due to their increased connection with their duties. Moreover, compassion fatigue develops a nature in a practitioner that tends to ignore the requirements of the patient. The practitioner is overburdened with emotional and spiritual connections to a point that they do not feel the need to perform exemplarily in their position. 16% – 85% of health care workers in different fields suffer from compassion fatigue (Yoder, 2010). This describes the extent of the crisis in the industry. This paper will provide signs that depict signs of compassion fatigue. In addition, I will analyze the problems that may be caused and aid that may relieve caregivers. There are numerous signs that may depict compassion fatigue in a caregiver. Firstly, the performance of the practitioner deteriorates significantly. This is because the focus of the caregiver is shifted to address their emotional problems. Additionally, the caregiver does not concentrate on their work. This decreases their effectiveness to perform. Apart from physical signs, caregiver may suffer from psychological effects. For instance, they find it difficult to stop thinking about their patients and job. Walton & Alvarez (2010) is of the assumption that a caregiver should be able to have a life beyond their job description. A failure to achieve this depicts compassion fatigue. In other occasion, the caregiver becomes obsessed with their patients. In a worst case, of compassion fatigue, the caregiver has trouble sleeping. This is caused by memories and over thinking about their job and patients. Another sign is that the caregiver does not have the energy and will to work. In addition, they become less satisfied with their work. This is depicted by reporting late to work and ignoring basic rules and work policies. Putman & Lederman (2008) assert that the relationship of the practitioner and their work is significantly affected if they are compassion fatigued. Another symptom is that one has a general feeling of weariness. Apart from poor performance at their work station, the caregiver does not develop the strength to take part in any social activity. Yoder (2010) points out that the most important symptom of compassion fatigue is losing self-awareness. On numerous occasions, a caregiver may ignore personal wants and needs but venture deeply in helping their patients. They become self-destructive since they cannot be able to provide balance between their personal and professional life. Numerous problems may be caused by the effects of compassion fatigue. The problems may be physical, emotional or spiritual. In addition, they may affect both the personal and professional life of the caregiver. In analyzing the nature of the emotional problems, Putman & Lederman (2008) point out that a caregiver develops emotional fatigue that minimizes their ability to relate their emotional needs. For instance, a caregiver may fail to develop personal relationship with people around them. Additionally, they may fail to maintain a relationship either with their family or friends. This is because they direct all emotional attention to their work. A caregiver may also suffer from psychological effects since they are too connected to the patients. For instance, if a nurse becomes too connected victim of rape they may develop paranoia on the issue. They may create imaginations that seem to be real. Walton & Alvarez (2010) assert that the effects of this problem may affect their professional and personal life. For instance, the caregiver may dislike all men around them. This hinders their effectiveness of service delivery to men and also personal interaction with men. In terms of the physical element of the problem, a caregiver suffering from compassion fatigue may fail to sufficient rest or sleep. For this reason, they may develop physical fatigue. In an argument by Yoder (2010) physical fatigue may cause mild cases of headaches. Lack of sleep may be caused by continuous experience with patients with more requirements that professional care. Additional, continuous interaction with severe or sensitive medical cases may cause lack of sleep to a practitioner. It is human nature to have spiritual, emotional and physical needs. The same could be said to caregivers. Moreover, the fact that caregivers are exposed to more taxing environments, one may be of the assumption that they may require more spiritual, emotional and physical needs. Yoder (2010) asserts that medical institutions should provide caregivers with an opportunity to relieve themselves from the memories from their professional setting. For instance, caregiver should be provided with counseling sessions. From these sessions, the may be able to narrate and share their work experiences. This may help the cope with their emotional and psychological burden. Putman & Lederman (2008) are of the assumption that the caregiver will also be enabled to develop an internal connection. This increases their ability to sustain or develop personal awareness. In regards to spiritual needs, caregivers should be provided with activities that may cleanse their spirits from work experiences. This may possibly be accomplished by taking part in intervention or pastoral services. In addition, mild exercises such as yoga may increase the connectivity between the caregiver and their spirit. This enables the caregiver to realize their spiritual challenges and requirements (Walton & Alvarez, 2010). Additionally, enables them cope with workplace challenges. Medical institution should also provide caregivers with friendly working hours. Moreover, annual leaves should be made compulsory to employees. This allows caregivers to rest as freedom from a stressful work stations. These physical needs also ensure that employee develop motivation for their work. Various coping techniques could be used to minimize the occurrence of compassion fatigue. For instance, Putman & Lederman (2008) suggest that caregiver be provided be able to exercise. Exercises should be done routinely and on a daily basis. Exercising increases the physical and mental productivity of a person as it also enable one to cope with daily experiences. Another coping strategy is to develop and sustain a personal life. This may include spending significant time with friends and family. Spending time with supportive people enable one to effectively cope with occupational stress. Additionally, personal life should include taking part in social activities and attending social gatherings. A caregiver should also set limits between work and personal activities. For instance, a caregiver should develop a time table that depicts time for personal and job purposes. The time table should create a balance between the time spent at work and at home. This will provide the caregiver with time to create self-awareness. Walton & Alvarez (2010) point out that the most effective coping strategy is developing a connection and network with like-minded people or with people with mutual problems. This enables a person to be in the presence of people who may have solutions to their problems. In addition, it creates a collective forum from which appropriate and effective solutions may be developed. From the information provided, one may point out that compassion fatigue is created by over indulgence in a particular activity. Consequently, the solutions to the problem are determinant on the efforts by an individual. Additionally, the problem requires processes that may increase the ability of a person to balance their personal and professional lives. References Putman, J. & Lederman, F. (2008). How to Maintain Emotional Health. When Working with Trauma. Juvenile and Family Court Journal,59(4), 91-102. Walton, A. & Alvarez, M. (2010). Imagine: Compassion fatigue training for nurses. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 14(4), 399-400. Yoder, E.(2010). Compassion fatigue in nurses. Applied Nursing Research, 23(4), 191-197. Read More