Key Takeaways
Here are the key takeaways of this module for your easy reference.
Compassion fatigue is a condition that results from exposure to other people’s emotions leading to a weakened ability to empathise with others.
The warning signs of compassion fatigue can include some or all the following behavioural changes:
- Self-isolation and withdrawal
- Self-medicating or substance abuse
- Relationship conflicts
- Loss of motivation and productivity at work
- Reduced enjoyment from activities the individual used to enjoy
- Reduced job satisfaction
- Short temper and irritability at work
The symptoms of compassion fatigue can be varied and exhausting. Chronic physical and mental exhaustion include:
- Depersonalisation
- Feelings of inequity toward the therapeutic or caregiver relationship
- Indifference towards the needs of patients or owners
- Intrusive thoughts about recent losses
- Feelings of self-contempt
- Difficulty sleeping
- Weight loss
- Headaches
- Poor job satisfaction
Some of the potential reasons behind the increased risks of suicide are:
- Medical know how
- Opportunity
- Acceptance that euthanasia stops suffering
The relentless stress on veterinary professionals can hinder their ability to support owners. In more extreme cases, supporting the owners emotionally and conducting pet euthanasia can impact the wellbeing of veterinary professionals too.
Several steps can help medical staff prevent compassion fatigue. These steps require top-level commitment and an atmosphere of openness to be effective.
- Create an atmosphere of openness
- Identify process strength and weaknesses
- Identify the warning signs
- Taking a moment to acknowledge your feelings
- Achieve a good work-life balance
- Learn to set appropriate physical and emotional boundaries
- Maintaining physical and emotional boundaries
There are some encouraging results from trials that have looked at how meditation can help healthcare practitioners who are at risk of compassion fatigue.
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