Understanding Compassion Fatigue
CF is characterized by emotional exhaustion, reduced capacity to empathize, and a decline in professional performance. This review identifies key antecedents, attributes, and consequences of CF in undergraduate health students, providing a comprehensive framework for addressing this issue.Key Findings
- Antecedents: Coping ability, self-efficacy, and clinical and occupational hazards.
- Attributes: Psychological stress, witnessing negative experiences of others, and depression.
- Consequences: Decreased well-being, program withdrawal, and intention-to-leave.
Strategies for Practitioners
Based on these findings, practitioners can implement several strategies to mitigate CF in pre-licensure health students:- Enhance Coping Skills: Encourage students to develop positive coping mechanisms such as mindfulness and meditation. Research by Hevezi (2016) shows that meditation can significantly reduce burnout.
- Build Self-Efficacy: Provide opportunities for students to gain meaningful experiences and build a sense of mastery. This can be achieved through targeted curricular programming that fosters resilience and self-efficacy.
- Address Occupational Hazards: Identify and mitigate the risks associated with different clinical settings. Special attention should be given to high-stress environments like emergency departments and psychiatric settings.
Encouraging Further Research
The review highlights the need for more research on CF in pre-licensure health students, especially in underrepresented fields like psychiatric nursing. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this growing body of knowledge by conducting studies that explore CF in various clinical settings and student populations.Conclusion
By understanding the antecedents, attributes, and consequences of CF, practitioners can take proactive steps to support pre-licensure health students. Implementing strategies to enhance coping skills, build self-efficacy, and address occupational hazards can significantly improve student well-being and professional outcomes.To read the original research paper, please follow this link: A comprehensive review of compassion fatigue in pre-licensure health students: antecedents, attributes, and consequences
