TY - JOUR
T1 - When you care enough to do your very best
T2 - Genetic counselor experiences of compassion fatigue
AU - Benoit, Lacey G.
AU - Veach, Patricia Mc Carthy
AU - LeRoy, Bonnie S.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2007/6
Y1 - 2007/6
N2 - Compassion fatigue is a phenomenon that occurs when a caregiver feels overwhelmed by repeated empathic engagement with distressed clients (Figley, 2002). Research demonstrates its existence among nurses, physicians, and mental health professionals, but to date no published study has specifically investigated the nature and prevalence of compassion fatigue among genetic counselors. The present study was an initial attempt to identify and describe the phenomena in genetic counseling by conducting focus group interviews with 12 genetic counselors. Data analysis yielded several themes: a) compassion fatigue occurs and may compromise professional and personal functioning; b) prevalent triggers include delivering bad news and difficult patient issues (e.g., terminal illness, anger, psychopathology); c) effective coping strategies include consulting with colleagues, setting boundaries, and humor; and d) risk factors include personality characteristics and traumatic memories. Training, practice, and research recommendations are provided.
AB - Compassion fatigue is a phenomenon that occurs when a caregiver feels overwhelmed by repeated empathic engagement with distressed clients (Figley, 2002). Research demonstrates its existence among nurses, physicians, and mental health professionals, but to date no published study has specifically investigated the nature and prevalence of compassion fatigue among genetic counselors. The present study was an initial attempt to identify and describe the phenomena in genetic counseling by conducting focus group interviews with 12 genetic counselors. Data analysis yielded several themes: a) compassion fatigue occurs and may compromise professional and personal functioning; b) prevalent triggers include delivering bad news and difficult patient issues (e.g., terminal illness, anger, psychopathology); c) effective coping strategies include consulting with colleagues, setting boundaries, and humor; and d) risk factors include personality characteristics and traumatic memories. Training, practice, and research recommendations are provided.
KW - Burnout
KW - Coping
KW - Countertransference
KW - Empathy
KW - Genetic counselor compassion fatigue
KW - Self-care
KW - Stress
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U2 - 10.1007/s10897-006-9072-1
DO - 10.1007/s10897-006-9072-1
M3 - Article
C2 - 17318455
AN - SCOPUS:34249951800
SN - 1059-7700
VL - 16
SP - 299
EP - 312
JO - Journal of Genetic Counseling
JF - Journal of Genetic Counseling
IS - 3
ER -