...Running head: COMPASSION FATIGUE: CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER Compassion Fatigue: Caring for the Caregiver Kimberly Flowers Grand Canyon University Spirituality in Health Care HLT-310V Patricia Mullen March 24, 2012 Compassion Fatigue: Caring for the Caregiver Introduction Compassion represents an “acknowledgement of another’s suffering and is accompanied by the expression of a desire to ease or end that suffering.” (Van der Cingal, 2009, p. 124) This is a fundamental characteristic usually found in health care workers and nurses especially. In one twelve hour shift, a nurse’s job can change from taking vitals and administering medications to performing life saving measures or even holding a dying patient’s hand as they transition from this world to the next. And in that same few hours, a myriad of emotions can flood the soul with such force it leaves one drained and exhausted. This would be a very difficult roller coaster of emotions for anyone, but multiply that times three or four days per week for many years. It is no surprise that health care workers are extremely susceptible to emotional and physical fatigue, also known as compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue is that fatigue brought on by giving so much of one’s self for an extended period of time without taking time to revive or replenish one’s own physical, emotional and spiritual needs. This paper will explore the nature and causes of five major...
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...Combating Compassion Fatigue Kadijatu Lewis Grand Canyon University: HLT.310V April 14th, 2013 Nursing is an emotional, physical spiritual and hard work. It is also rewarding and most times satisfying. Nurses witness pain and suffering of others daily, resulting in increase risk for emotional stress. Nurses also work under demanding conditions related to budget constraints, and short staff resulting in increase workload. Compassion fatigue is the last stage of compassion discomfort and compassion stress. The nursing profession does not provide adequate resources to help combat this condition, like other professionals who deal with similar situations. This paper will identify signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and ways of combating them. Compassionate fatigue is an emotional, physical and spiritual exhaustion from witnessing and absorbing the problems and suffering of others. Compassionate fatigue usually affect selfless, caring and sacrificing nurses who are emotional attached to their jobs. It usually comes on gradually. It usually occurs when a caregiver attempts to give out more compassion and energy than they are getting in return. When we exhibit compassion fatigue, our natural human desire to help is significantly diminished (Frandsen, 2010) Compassion fatigue manifest itself in different ways, these include feeling of exhaustion and overwhelm with ones assignment before the start of shift, this feeling occurs...
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...Fatigue Wear Control Method Lowering the coefficient of friction between two contact surface is the most effective way of preventing fatigue-based wear. The surface traction forces are insufficient for delamination in sliding or contact fatigue in rolling to occur if low coefficient friction. Another important aspect in controlling fatigue wear in both sliding and rolling is the material “cleanliness”. Clean material with with minimum imperfections should be selected for sliding and rolling contacts. Enhancement of material properties such as hardness, to reduce crack growth can also be benificial in some cases. However, this method is limited by the increased brittleness of hard materials. These are several methods that used in industry to control fatigue wear. 1.Surface compression Higher strength metal such as hard alloy and steel that defects or flaws in the surface produce effect on fatigue life lby acting as points of stress concentration. These stress risers may include foreign matter, void, nicks and scratched produced in the drawing or other fabtication operation, scale due to heat treatment or tempering, defects produced in packing and shipping or in manufacturing operations such as coiling and grinding. All of this reduce fatigue life has been known for many years that surface compression will reduce the adverse effect of these defects and flaws on fatigue life by eliminating or masking their effect. Surface compression can be introduced by performing shot peening...
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...In the article “Fatigue”, by Jane Brody, he states how to this day people are dealing with “fatigue”. In the labor-era days, for people to feel fatigue was quite reasonable because they would work constantly for 8-12 hours a day; but in today’s era people who experience fatigue more often than not have developed one of 3 major types of fatigue. “Physical” is when the person over strains their body from playing a sport or working hard labor and the body simply needs time to rest. “Pathological” is more known to be a fatigue where your body is going through something like a cold or the flu but in some extreme cases can be a sign of diabetes or cancer. “Psychological Fatigue” is an emotional problem or conflict such as depression and anxiety....
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...Abstract Fatigue in racing activities is one of the most common problems that drivers encounter. The occurrence leads to a reduction in speeds and general performance. As a result, there have been numerous technology improvements in the area. Ideally, the ability to measure the level of tiredness among drivers can allow scientists to come up with better methods of boosting their output. The advancement in the system would save lives since drivers cause accidents due to exhaustion. Technology has made it easy to track the level of weariness in individuals participating in racing activities. Usually, sensors are used to alert officials on increase in fatigue in drivers. Afterward, corrective actions can be conducted to prevent the loss of life...
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...others accompanied by the urge to help. • Fatigue : is physical and or mental exhaustion. Causes of Compassion Fatigue • Someone highly task and goal oriented. • • • • • A perfectionist. An individual who tends to be overly critical but cannot stand criticism. An inability to allow personal satisfaction. High personal expectations and exaggerated expectations of others. Someone whose work and "productive" activity is overvalued and provides the major source of self-esteem and pleasure (Dwyer, 2006) Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue • • • • Physical indications Psychological indication Spiritual indication Performance indication (Funk, J.R. n.d). Warning Signs of Compassion Fatigue • Exhaustion. • • • Detachment Depression. Disorientation • • • • • Change of work style Boredom and cynicism A sense of omnipotence Feelings of Being Unappreciated. Increased impatience and irritability (Funk, J.R. n.d). Physical needs of the caregiver • • • Diet Sleep Fighting Fatigue • • Exercise Relaxation (Chapman, 2007). Emotional needs of the caregiver • • • A true friend Laughing/ happiness Emotional Support • Personal satisfaction (Chapman, 2007). Spiritual needs of the caregiver • • • Adoration Spirituality Meditation • • • Absolution Confession Prayer (Chapman, 2007). Coping strategies and resources for the care provider 1. Recognize fatigue is present 2. Seek solutions • Talk it out...
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...Week 5 1) Considering that burnout has been related to the amount and type of work done along with the type of work that you do or hope to do, are you at risk for burnout? Why? No, I do not believe that I am a candidate for burnout. I work with children and they change every year and there is never a dull moment so it doesn’t become monotone, boring, and repitious, which all is a clear description of burnout. 2) Describe some of the effects that secondary traumatic stress can have on professional capability. This can have detrimental effects on individuals, both professionally and personally, including a decrease in productivity, the inability to focus, and the development of new feelings of incompetency and self doubt. 3) Review the factors that contribute and explain burnout on page 89. Have you ever experienced these in your professional experience? I can honestly say that I believe everyone over some period of time experiences those symptoms or something similar to those symptoms. It is just a part of having a steady career that has to do with a repetitious field. How you handle the day to day or how you chose to see your daily career may make or break the fine line between a rut and burnout. Week 6 1) Describe some of the ways humor helps relieve stress related to trauma (physiologic and therapeutic.) I’ve independently read that laughing releases endorphins that help you calm and relieve stress. I have also learned that changing...
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...Results and Discussion The main objective of the study was to assess if the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are present in men and women aged 45-50 years, working in the private sector. The hypothesis was that there is a significant difference in the fatigue experienced by working men and working women. Results showed the t value higher than the critical value, indicating a significant difference in the scores of working men and women and therefore the hypothesis was accepted. CFS is most common among people in their 40s and 50s. Gender also plays an important role in CFS, as women are at least twice as likely to develop CFS as men. The thesis is centred on the fact that women are more prone to CFS than men. While scoring the checklist,...
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...A Tool to Help Heath Care Professionals Cope A Tool to Help Heath Care Professionals Cope Compassion Fatigue Compassion Fatigue What is Compassion Fatigue? Caring too much can hurt. When caregivers focus on others without practicing self-care, destructive behaviors can surface. Apathy, isolation, bottled up emotions and substance abuse head a long list of symptoms associated with the secondary traumatic stress disorder now labeled: Compassion Fatigue. This used to be labeled as burnout and is a deep physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion, which can include feeling actual pain. Caregivers such as nurses and physicians as well as families may become less empathetic and unable to give their all to their patients. Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms is the first step towards combatting this problem. Some Key Points * Compassion fatigue is a form of burnout that manifests itself as physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion * To prevent or recover from compassion fatigue, take time for self-reflection, identify what's important and live in a way that reflects it * To sustain yourself at work, develop “principles of practice” — guidelines of personal integrity that articulate the parameters of your personal values. Commit to live and work within these principles. What is Compassion Fatigue? Caring too much can hurt. When caregivers focus on others without practicing self-care, destructive behaviors can surface. Apathy, isolation, bottled up emotions...
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...Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Kristina Morgan ITT Technical Institute Ms. Gesicki October 11, 2015 Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that can't be explained by any underlying medical condition. The fatigue may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn't improve with rest. The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, although there are many theories — ranging from viral infections to psychological stress. Some experts believe chronic fatigue syndrome might be triggered by a combination of factors. There are eight official signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue disorder, including the official symptom that give this disorder its name. Symptoms include: extreme fatigue, loss of memory and difficulties with concentration, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, unexplained muscle pain, joint pain that seems to move from joint to joint without any swelling or redness, headaches, inability to be refreshed by sleep and extreme exhaustion after periods of physical exertion lasting more than 24 hours. Fatigue can be a symptom of many illnesses, such as infections or psychological disorders. Scientists don't know exactly what causes chronic fatigue syndrome. It may be a combination of factors that affect people who were born with a predisposition for the disorder. Some of the factors that have been studied include: * Viral infections. Because some people develop chronic fatigue syndrome after having a viral infection, researchers...
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...1 Classification and Division Essay Coughing, sneezing, fevers, body aches- all things we dread when we are sick. Being sick is never fun and we are always trying to find new remedies and treatments to ease the discomfort and rid the sickness from our bodies as quick as possible rather than just waiting for it to run its course. These illnesses can be both viral and bacterial. Because I have been diagnosed with double pneumonia three times in the past I have learned from talking with my doctor that viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics whereas bacterial infections can. There is still no cure for the common cold and although the flu and pneumonia can be treated with medications it is still wise to keep hydrated and rested until the symptoms pass. Through past experience with these illnesses as well as talking with my doctor about these subjects I have discovered many different specifications of each individual illness such as symptoms, complications, and proper treatment and prevention methods. Viral infections are the most common illnesses that we face. The Latin meaning for the word virus as found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is toxin or poison. Your body recognizes viruses as intruders in the body and all of the complications that you face while sick, such as a runny nose, are the body’s mechanisms to get rid of them. But what most of us don’t know is that some viral infections are incurable, while others require specific medication and treatment, I...
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...leads to partial awakening and restless sleep. At night, some people like to drink caffeinated drinks to keep them awake. Thus, I usually use caffeine to keep me alert, complete my work and study during examination and in the hope of achieving the best in class. Sometime I drink coffee for the extra boost in the morning, to help me get through the day without getting drowsiness. There is a close relationship between depression and sleep deprivation. A lack of sleep saps our energy, makes you irritable and sucks all the joy from our lives. However it will increase risk of mistakes or accidents in our working lives. Sometime we could even lose our jobs because of it. Sleep deprivation not only makes us tiredness, fatigue and depression but also makes us fat. Our metabolism will not function properly when we are sleep...
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...The Advantages and Disadvantages of Two Jobs My neighbor Sue lives in a nice house and has two luxurious cars in the driveway. Her overtime hours at work are being eliminated, so the money she is used to making is becoming less. So, Sue must decide whether or not to take on a second job to live the way she is accustomed to. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages in working two jobs. Before deciding on working two jobs, it would be a good idea to consider these positives and negatives. We should consider the benefits in deciding to have two jobs. The main reason for working two jobs is to provide enough income to survive and pay the bills. The additional income might make a difference in paying for a certain quality of life that someone is accustomed to living. In working two jobs, there is an opportunity to improve your skills in different areas. Sometimes the skills learned in the second job can improve the skills for the primary job. People may develop entirely different skills from the second job. You may have a competitive edge from working two jobs in the job market because you may have different skills to bring to your new job. You may have better experience than someone else has making you a more desirable candidate. Working two jobs provides more networking opportunities and interacting with more people. This could provide you with additional references and recommendations for future jobs. As a result of working two jobs, people develop stronger...
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...factors that affect the pilot in control hindering decision making as well as the ability to act quicker resulting in accidents occurring. It is known that 70% of fatal accidents are related to human factors, of which 20% is fatigue. It is evident that fatigue is a major implement in accidents occurring with the loss of passengers and money in airlines, which is why they are a concern in the aviation industry. The question that most pilots have to face when they have been involved in an accident is whether the accident was caused by a human error or a mechanical failure, most being human errors and this essay will be based on the concept of fatigue as well the risks and management that can be supported to improve this human factor. There are two types of fatigue if it was to be categorised: Physical fatigue and mental fatigue. Physical fatigue is when the individual experiences lack of strength within himself, such as lifting objects where the muscles are fatigued. On the other hand, mental fatigue is to do with the mind not physically such as the level of consciousness decreases as time goes resulting in decrease in attention. This can be dangerous when a task that needs focus is required; pilots are the main victims to this. One of the causes of fatigue is the internal structures that humans have, called a biological clock. This affects the biological and psychological process that humans undergo within the 24 hour time frame. These processes are often called “circadian rhythm”...
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...Parable of the Sadhu Introduction: The Parable of the Sadhu is the story of a man, Bowen McCoy, who traversed the Himalaya Mountains on a business sabbatical program. On his journey he encounters a sadhu (an Indian holy man) who has passed out from exhaustion on the path. He checks the man’s pulse and gets the others in his group to help him out, and carries on. When he reached the top, the rest of his team caught up to him and informed him that they did not take the sadhu all the way down to the village, and are not sure whether he lived or died. Dilemma: Bowen’s decision was based on many factors. Some of these factors were personal, such as his own physical fatigue, his goal to reach the summit, and the fact that this opportunity was “once-in-a-lifetime” (Curtis, 156). Other factors included the fatigue of his fellow climbers, the danger of the pass, the advise of his team and, most importantly, the well being of the sadhu. While reading this article, I found Bowen’s decision to be mostly based on his own personal issues. Although he rationalized his decision later with his fears of the other members of the group’s heath and the fact that the pass may not be passable later, I had the feeling that deep down that’s not why he pushed ahead. I believe that he, somewhat selfishly, was only interested in finishing the climb for his own personal gain and for his ego. Evidence of this lies in his exhilaration of reaching the top, even an hour later when he sees Stephen,...
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