Self-care and self-compassion are important, especially for health care providers. Even before the pandemic brought an extra toll on clinicians, compassion fatigue was a common challenge, resulting in physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion. Compassion fatigue is different from burnout, which comes from external factors like long work hours or stressful working conditions. Compassion fatigue comes from within, resulting in feelings of detachment or self-criticism.
Researchers who study this issue, including Kate G. Sheppard, PhD, RN, professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, and Romayne Gallagher, MD, professor at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, offer tips to reduce the impact of compassion fatigue:
- reflect on how you feel physically and emotionally and why—what are your triggers?
- establish healthy boundaries
- make self-care and self-compassion priorities—take care of yourself!
- practice self-reflection and mindfulness
- consider how you can improve the way you practice, rather than dwell on negatives
How are you practicing self-care? And are you encouraging your colleagues to do the same?------------------------------
Alison Whelan
Chief Medical Education Officer
Association of American Medical Colleges
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