Caring for the Caring Professionals Within a Cancer Hospital: Research into Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Distress. Issue 2 (3rd April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Drake, Julia; Walker, Melissa; Gallant, Noelle; Sturgess, Emma; McGill, Katie
• Is Part Of: Australian social work. Volume 75:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 232
• Page End: 244
• Publication Date: 2022-04-03
• Subjects: Death -- Dying -- Compassion Fatigue -- Burnout -- Distress -- Hospital Staff -- Vicarious Trauma; Social service -- Periodicals; Social service -- Australia -- Periodicals; Social Work -- periodicals; Social Work -- Australia -- periodicals; Periodicals; 361.3
• DOI: 10.1080/0312407X.2021.1944235
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0312-407X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Providing quality care to people approaching the end of their life within the hospital system is important. To date, only limited research has investigated the impact that providing care to people who are dying has on the diverse range of hospital staff who provide the care. As part of a needs assessment to identify the resources and service development required to support all hospital staff, Calvary Mater Newcastle Social Work Department invited hospital staff to complete a questionnaire. A total of 162 respondents agreed to participate. Both clinical and nonclinical staff reported feeling impacted by the death of patients. Participants identified that their current coping strategies and support structures addressed some professional and personal needs, but many were unaware of other available supports and felt that the availability and type of support offered could be broadened to better meet staff needs. IMPLICATIONS All hospital staff (individually and as a group) irrespective of background are affected by caring for those that are dying. Current support structures used by health workers are examined for their efficacy in providing self-care to these workers; other available supports that could better meet these workers' needs are then explored. Social workers have an essential role to play in creating systems that support and enable health workers to engage in restorative and wellbeing practices.