Which symptom is a manifestation of compassion fatigue in hospice care?

Which symptom is a manifestation of compassion fatigue in hospice care?

• A. Increased intimacy
• B. Mistrust
• C. Sadness
• D. Enhanced empathy

Answer: (C)

Compassion fatigue is a phenomenon that can affect healthcare providers, particularly those in high-stress environments such as hospice care. A key symptom of compassion fatigue is the experience of sadness or emotional exhaustion attributable to the constant exposure to suffering and loss. Hospice professionals often support dying patients and their families, which can lead to a deep emotional toll over time. The feeling of sadness arises as caregivers may grapple with their own emotional responses to the grief and pain they witness in their patients. This pervasive sense of sadness can inhibit their ability to engage fully in their professional roles and can lead to a diminished capacity for empathy and compassion in caring for others. Recognizing sadness as a symptom reinforces the importance of self-care and emotional support for healthcare professionals to mitigate compassion fatigue.

Compassion fatigue is a phenomenon that can affect healthcare providers, particularly those in high-stress environments such as hospice care. A key symptom of compassion fatigue is the experience of sadness or emotional exhaustion attributable to the constant exposure to suffering and loss. Hospice professionals often support dying patients and their families, which can lead to a deep emotional toll over time.

The feeling of sadness arises as caregivers may grapple with their own emotional responses to the grief and pain they witness in their patients. This pervasive sense of sadness can inhibit their ability to engage fully in their professional roles and can lead to a diminished capacity for empathy and compassion in caring for others. Recognizing sadness as a symptom reinforces the importance of self-care and emotional support for healthcare professionals to mitigate compassion fatigue.