“Professionals regularly exposed to the traumatic experiences of the people they service, such as healthcare, emergency and community service workers, are particularly susceptible to developing Compassion Fatigue. This can impact standards of patient care, relationships with colleagues, or lead to more serious mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or depression.”[1]
During this time of unprecedented stress, healthcare professionals are stepping up, doing their very best to help others. And, as is so consistent with our personalities, we often do not focus on our own self-care. One of the consequences of not taking care of ourselves is the development of Compassion Fatigue. This article is both a reminder and a guide to help us provide better care for our patients by caring for ourselves.
Karl D. LaRowe M.A., LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker