Measuring Compassion Fatigue and Burnout Syndrome

Abstract

Compassion fatigue and burnout syndrome negatively impact trauma team members. The study aimed to determine if CF and BOS impact trauma team members and how they cope with professional stress. The study comprised 12 practitioners who completed surveys and participated in a focus group session where they shared their perceptions regarding stress triggers and coping strategies. The study's findings indicate that more than half the study participants are at risk for CF and BOS. The authors' presented strategies for developing a culturally sensitive program for addressing CF and BOS.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to acquire information from a trauma team regarding compassion fatigue (CF) and burnout syndrome (BOS) using qualitative methods. Berg et al. (2016) wanted to evaluate CF and BOS in a trauma team and have the team members provide their perspectives on stressors and coping strategies. Patient care is affected by CF and BOS, and we must understand the impact it has on a trauma team so we can develop strategies to support and assist those affected. According to Berg et al. (2016), no focus is placed on trauma teams as a unit, leading to their desire to investigate the impact of CF and BOS in a trauma team.

Methods

The methodology used in the study was a focus group, with Berg et al. (2016) receiving approval from the relevant institutional review boards. Berg et al. (2016) used qualitative tools for the study. The assessment tools used were the Holmes-Rahe Life and Stress Inventory, the Professional Quality of Life Scales (ProQOL), and a demographic survey. The Holmes-Rahe Life and Stress Inventory is a 43-item scale that measures how stressful life events contribute to illness (Berg et al., 2016). The ProQOL measures compassion satisfaction and CF. The demographic survey covered sex, age, religion, ethnicity, and professional expertise. Berg et al. (2016) had a focus group script comprising questions about compassion satisfaction, CF, secondary traumatic stress (STS), and self-care.

Study Design

The study was a qualitative study that employed a focus group methodology. The focus group lasted 1.5 hours, and a trained facilitator led...

…are adept at managing work stressors. However, the ProQOL demonstrates otherwise, where most participants (75%) scored moderate or high range for STS, and 58.3% scored moderate or high range for burnout (Berg et al., 2016).

Credibility

The study demonstrated that we could use simple tools to determine a needs assessment for CF and BOS. The tools used are readily available, and other teams can replicate the study results to determine the stress levels amongst the team members. The generalizability of the study is limited because the study used a small focus group (Berg et al., 2016). However, the study results denote that professional stress affects trauma team members. Other trauma teams can use the recommendations made to cope with CF and BOS. The methodology used was effective for the small focus group and could be used for even larger teams. Berg et al. (2016) used two measurement tools ensuring there have credible results. Had Berg et al. (2016) relied on only one tool, they would have gotten different results, and their conclusion would have been that trauma…