Conversations on Caring 003 - Avoiding Burnout and Compassion Fatigue - Feeding One's Soul

A written transcript is available at pallium.ca - Dr Mary Vachon engages in a revealing discussion about burnout, compassion fatigue, self-care, and 'soul work' for those regularly engaged in working with the seriously-ill and dying.
Dr Vachon provides practical tips and strategies to assist facility- and community-based health care providers sustain themselves and others in service of the seriously-ill and dying. Material covered in this session is also helpful for service leaders to develop risk assessment and mitigation strategies for staff engagement, retention, and renewal. The session also offers considerable focused discussion about home care and other community nursing contexts.
This session has consistently been the most accessed Canadian Pallium Project podcast at Apple iTunes since 2007. Its digital learning resource session number three in the Conversations on Caring Classics series and has been made possible on archive.org and UA-cam by the Patrick Gillin Memorial Gift (Ottawa) in partnership with the Bruyere Foundation.

[@erinandcompany]

I'm saddened to see that, though this has been up since 9-30, that I'm only the 180th viewer and I'm the first to comment. I don't work in palliative care; I work in mental health. However, so much that was said is pertinent to my field. I'm glad that you are educating those in the caring professions about compassion fatigue, burnout, and especially measures that can prevent these things. Self-care isn't selfish; it's how we can effectively care for others. Thank you again!

[@ontnurse2]

Yes we have no time to be with the dying. Recently I had 4 palliative several new Dr's orders for non palliative residents a new admission and re-admission.I asked for help and was denied. I cried for 2 days because I couldn't get to the dying patients who needed me the most. I have also had nightmares about the deceased residents since. I want out so badly! In long term care there is no palliative unit.They are mixed with the one who calls the nurse to move the glass of water an inch and close the drapes. I am 58 and and it does not get easier. So what is the answer.I tell anyone who will listen not to be a nurse