Image of a globe flanked by the text 'Resources for Recruitment and Retention, Support in the Workplace' and wrapped in a banner that says 'Plan It.'

Support: Dealing with Stress in the Workplace

Recruitment and Retention Toolkit   Dealing with Stress in the Workplace 2.10.0   Introduction: Compassion Fatigue and Burnout [2.10.3.0]   Compassion Fatigue [2.10.3.b]   Compassion Fatigue - What Behavioral Health Organizations Can Do About it [2.10.3.b.1]

Compassion Fatigue - What Behavioral Health Organizations Can Do About it [2.10.3.b.1]

Identify Compassion Fatigue in Staff

Ask these questions concerning your staff:
  • Are morale and/or motivation low?
  • Is there a lack of appreciation?
  • Is staff obsessive about details? Avoiding tasks?
  • Do you see apathy, negativity, irritability, and absenteeism?
  • Is staff getting into conflicts and/or withdrawing from colleagues?
“Yes” answers to these questions may indicate compassion fatigue.

Measure Compassion Fatigue in Staff

In Measuring Compassion Fatigue by Brian E. Bride, Melissa Radey and Charles R. Figley, the leading assessments of compassion fatigue are outlined, described and evaluated in terms of their reliability and their validity. Found Here.
 
ProQOL R-IV Professional Quality of Life Scale; Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue Subscales—Revision IV assessment information can be found Here.
 
The ProQOL Manual, The Professional Quality of Life Scale: Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout & Compassion Fatigue/Secondary Trauma Scales by B. Hudnall Stamm, PhD, Institute of Rural Health Idaho State University can be downloaded Here.
 
The Institute of Rural Health Idaho State University is found Here.
 
The Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project©, is dedicated to educating caregivers about authentic, sustainable self-care and aiding organizations in their goal of providing healthy, compassionate care to those whom they serve. The Awareness Project provides Eight Laws Governing a Healthy Workplace: 
  1. Employer provides a respite for staff following any traumatic event.
  2. Employer provides continuing education for staff.
  3. Employer provides acceptable benefits to aid staff in practicing beneficial self care.
  4. Employer provides management and staff with tools to accomplish their tasks.
  5. Employers direct management to monitor workloads.
  6. Employers provide positive, team-building activities to promote strong social relationships between colleagues.
  7. Employers encourage “open door” policies to promote good communication between workers.
  8. Employers have grief processes in place when traumatic events occur onsite. 
The Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project© is found Here.

Prevent Compassion Fatigue

Preventing Compassion Fatigue - A Handout for Professionals by Dr. Angelea Panos delves into who is at risk, warning signs and symptoms and what to do if you or a colleague has symptoms of compassion fatigue. According to Panos, unrecognized and untreated compassion fatigue causes people to leave their profession, fall into the throws of addictions or in extreme cases become self-destructive or suicide. This article can be found Here.
 
The Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project News Feed is found Here.

Submit your Feedback



Upload or attach a document:
Upload:

Go to Chapter:


Advocates for Human Potential Logo
Our Mission: AHP improves health and human services systems of care and business operations to help organizations and individuals reach their full potential.
 
Advocates for Human Potential; Corporate Office; 490-B Boston Post Road; Sudbury, MA 01776; 978.443.0055