It is well-documented that the COVID-19 pandemic left a huge legacy of compassion fatigue in the medical community, resulting in consequences like physical and mental health challenges and large numbers of healthcare workers leaving their jobs or even abandoning the field altogether. However, these impacts are not reserved for healthcare workers. First responders, teachers, mental health professionals and pastors, and more are suffering from vicarious trauma and burnout. It is critical that licensed mental health professionals, medical professionals, and ministry leaders address the issue from two directions. Support and treatment must be offered to those suffering, as well as training and equipping all those in the helping professions for resilience and prevention—including ourselves. This workshop will address the problem and how to identify and educate those suffering the effects of compassion fatigue, especially by describing evidence-based interventions. Most importantly, this workshop will address strategies to build resilience and implement a wellness plan to keep caring professionals healthy and functioning in stressful environments while maintaining physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
044 | The Epidemic Behind the Pandemic: Assessment and Treatment of Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Vicarious Trauma
PRESENTERS
Jennifer Cisney Ellers, M.A., and Kevin Ellers, D.Min.
CE CREDITS
3
Approved For CE
Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Chemical Dependency Counselors, Pastors, Pastoral Counselors, Lay Counselors, and Coaches
Approved For CME/CEU
Medical Doctors, Osteopathic Doctors, Physicians Assistants, Midwives, Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
LEVEL
Intermediate
Summary
Learning Objectives
Discuss definitions, statistics and research on compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and burnout.
Identify individuals and groups most at risk for compassion fatigue and the possible physical and mental health consequences.
Utilize a variety of tools designed to assess compassion fatigue including the Pro-QOL and new Pro-QOL Health.
Discuss practical interventions for recovery and self-care resilience plans that can be utilized with clients but can also be implemented for the professional caregiver for themselves and their colleagues.