Addressing Empathy Exhaustion in the Wake of Community Health Crises
In the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis, the wellbeing of those on the frontlines is paramount. Health agencies are being urged to consider translating guidelines and strategies into policy to promote resiliency and wellbeing among staff and partners.
The crisis is a constant source of trauma, and the effects are not limited to those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD). Approximately only 20-40% of people diagnosed with OUD seek treatment, making it crucial for professionals to practice self-care to stay better attuned to the needs of those they serve.
First responders, nurses, and other professionals are at risk of developing compassion fatigue, a state of tension and preoccupation with trauma, similar to post-traumatic stress disorders. Compassion fatigue can manifest in various symptoms such as chronic anxiety, depression, disrupted sleep, feelings of fruitlessness and helplessness, and emotional distancing.
The Green Cross Academy of Traumatology has developed guidelines about self-care for first responders. They recommend strategies such as regular physical exercise, mindfulness practices, maintaining social connections, seeking professional support, setting personal boundaries, and practicing gratitude to prevent compassion fatigue. Other protective measures include measuring levels of compassion fatigue, taking breaks, setting boundaries, holding regular staff trainings, using self-calming strategies, spending time with family and friends, getting adequate sleep and exercise, and seeking professional therapeutic support when necessary.
However, compassion fatigue can have detrimental effects on the quality of care provided. Substandard care from providers due to compassion fatigue can influence linkage to care efforts for OUD. Responses like retreating mentally, changing the subject, minimizing client distress, blaming the client, or expressing disbelief or sarcasm can discourage those with OUD from seeking treatment.
Nurses, in particular, face a cycle of negative feedback between staff and clients with OUD, who may respond to signs of staff annoyance with counter-aggression. Professionals addressing the opioid crisis attribute burnout and compassion fatigue to the high volume of patients, time-intensive nature of addressing substance use disorders, the trauma of overdoses, and a declining sense of personal accomplishment.
Compassion fatigue can increase instances of depersonalization and influence those being treated for OUD. Secondary traumatic stress mimics the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and can develop in helping professionals through exposure to trauma. This can lead to a cycle of distress that negatively impacts both professionals and those they aim to help.
Resiliency can provide a reminder that the work being done is important and impactful. Strategies for protecting oneself from compassion fatigue can help break this cycle, ensuring that professionals remain effective and compassionate in their roles. By prioritising self-care, we can better support those fighting the opioid crisis and improve outcomes for all involved.
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