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Houston, TX—Last year, Dr. Eric Singhi, a thoracic medical oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, noticed a troubling shift in his team of four clinicians. Once motivated and enthusiastic, they had become withdrawn and distant. Acknowledging the toll of their emotionally demanding work, the team decided to take a day off to reflect.
“We had to step away from the clinic and address what was happening,” Dr. Singhi said. The issue: intense emotional exhaustion brought on by caring for a growing number of younger patients with lung cancer.
This phenomenon, known as compassion fatigue, affects healthcare professionals exposed to prolonged trauma in their patients. It can manifest as emotional numbness, detachment, or an inability to provide empathetic care. Compassion fatigue is particularly prevalent in high-stress fields like oncology, where life-and-death situations are a daily reality.
Understanding Compassion Fatigue
Dr. Alfred Lee, a burnout researcher and director of the hematology/oncology fellowship at Yale School of Medicine, explained, “Anyone in medical oncology or hematology who has practiced long enough will experience this.” Compassion fatigue, while common, can be subtle in its early stages. Symptoms may include irritability, dissatisfaction, or a growing emotional distance from patients.
Unchecked, it can lead to serious consequences, including burnout, increased medical errors, and even healthcare workers leaving the profession. Dr. Jennifer Bickel, MD Anderson’s Chief Wellness Officer, emphasized the risks of untreated compassion fatigue, stating, “I’ve treated people who believed they shouldn’t be doctors anymore. These are preventable losses the field cannot afford.”
Recognizing the Signs
Experts identify compassion fatigue by symptoms that overlap with post-traumatic stress disorder, including hypervigilance, avoidance, and reliving distressing events. Dr. Marra Ackerman, a psychiatrist at NYU Langone Health, noted that this condition often stems from the brain’s attempt to protect itself from repeated emotional distress.
While compassion fatigue shares similarities with burnout, the two differ in origin. Burnout stems from work-related stress, often due to systemic issues like excessive paperwork or inadequate resources, while compassion fatigue arises from emotional exposure to patients’ trauma.
Solutions and Support
The good news is that compassion fatigue is not inevitable. Oncologists and other healthcare workers can learn strategies to manage emotional stress and seek support. Dr. Bickel advocates for safe environments where clinicians can share their struggles and experiences. Formal peer-support groups, such as those at MD Anderson and NYU Langone, provide a space for healthcare workers to discuss challenges, share grief, and gain emotional balance.
Training programs for listening and mentorship have also proven effective. Dr. Ackerman explained that these initiatives allow providers to connect with peers who understand their struggles, offering relief without fear of judgment or stigma.
Dr. Singhi’s team has implemented regular discussions about difficult cases, which have helped them set boundaries between work and home life. These conversations, while challenging, have strengthened their resilience and emotional well-being.
A Call for Early Intervention
Experts stress the importance of recognizing and addressing compassion fatigue early. Seeking help should not be seen as a sign of weakness but as an opportunity to thrive in a demanding field. “It’s not about what you can handle,” Dr. Bickel concluded. “It’s about finding joy and meaning in what you do.”
Disclaimer
This article is based on findings and expert opinions reported by Medscape Medical News. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers experiencing symptoms of compassion fatigue or other mental health concerns are encouraged to seek help from a licensed professional.
For more on this topic, visit Medscape.
