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01-10-2008 | Original Research

The Psychic Costs of Empathic Engagement: Personal and Demographic Predictors of Genetic Counselor Compassion Fatigue

Authors: Sharanya Udipi, Patricia McCarthy Veach, Juihsien Kao, Bonnie S. LeRoy

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 5/2008

Abstract

Empathic connection with one’s patients is essential to genetic counselor clinical practice. However, repeatedly engaging with distressed patients may cause compassion fatigue, a phenomenon characterized as feeling overwhelmed by experiencing patients’ suffering. In order to extend findings of an initial qualitative study, we surveyed 222 genetic counselors about their compassion fatigue and factors that predict its occurrence. Multiple regression analysis identified seven significant predictors accounting for 53.7% of the variance in compassion fatigue. Respondents at higher risk of compassion fatigue were more likely to report being burned out, using self-criticism and giving up to manage stress, experiencing a greater variety of distressing clinical events, having larger patient caseloads, relying on religion as a coping strategy, having no children, and seeking support to manage stress. Respondents also provided critical incidents regarding their compassion fatigue and themes in these incidents are described. Practice and research recommendations are provided.

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Title: The Psychic Costs of Empathic Engagement: Personal and Demographic Predictors of Genetic Counselor Compassion Fatigue
Authors: Sharanya Udipi
Patricia McCarthy Veach
Juihsien Kao
Bonnie S. LeRoy
Publication date: 01-10-2008
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 5/2008
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-008-9162-3

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The Psychic Costs of Empathic Engagement: Personal and Demographic Predictors of Genetic Counselor Compassion Fatigue

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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