Antidotes to Burnout

13 Pages·2017·0.24 MB·English

Antidotes to Burnout: The Art of
Staying Inspired
Chaplain David Carl
Executive Director Spiritual Care
AVP Patient Experience
Carolinas HealthCare System
The Problem
•  Burnout
•  Compassion Fatigue
•  Secondary Trauma
•  Secondary Traumatic Stress
•  Secondary Victimization
•  Vicarious Traumatization
•  Secondary Survivor
•  Denial
•  Organizational Collusion
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Symptoms
•  Hopelessness/Despair
•  Decrease of pleasure
•  Consistent, persistent stress and anxiety
•  Sleeplessness, too much sleep, nightmares
•  Pervasive negative attitude
•  Decrease in productivity
•  Inability to focus
•  Feelings of incompetency
•  Increased self-questioning/ self-doubt
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Symptoms (cont’d)
•  Pull away and isolate self from others
•  Excessive voicing of complaints
•  Appear sad, apathetic, without energy
•  Less attention to physical care/ poor hygiene
•  Difficulty with focus and concentration
•  Moral distress ongoing
•  Feelings kept inside
•  Compulsive behaviors (overeating, spending, gambling,
substance abuse, promiscuity, addictions)
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What Can We Do?
•  If Compassion Fatigue and Burnout drain out all of our
inner energy and compassion…

•  Then…

•  We have to be all the more deliberate about infusing
compassion and joy into our lives.

•  Just like if when we are de-hydrated it is essential to get
re-hydrated.
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•  Many of us are already doing this to some degree…

•  What are some of the ways you rejuvenate yourself that
you do presently?

•  What do you do now that brings you a sense of joy and
well-being?
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The Art of Staying Inspired
•  Intentional practice of self-compassion/ self-care
•  Take deliberate breaks from work
•  Breath Work/ Breath Prayer
•  Physical exercise
•  Enjoyable recreational activities
•  Establish clear, professional boundaries
•  Accept the truth that successful outcomes are not always
achievable (cure) but healing is always possible
•  Create/ maintain social support (people and pets)
•  Spiritual practices (rituals, forgiveness, meditation, etc.)
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Practical Approaches
•  Pause
•  Take a breath
•  Check in and be observant with colleagues
•  Go beyond empathy and practice compassion
•  Debrief emotions as well as clinical process in review
•  Talk/ Do not isolate or suppress
•  Seek out a confidant/small group (POTT)
•  Massage
•  Healing Touch/Reiki/Energy Medicine
•  Music
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Artful Approaches (cont’d)
•  Aromatherapy
•  Guided Imagery
•  Mindfulness
•  Be compassionate with others (in mind and actions)
•  Share compassionate stories (Neuroscience)
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Compassion Champions
•  Recognize that Burnout and Compassion Fatigue are
real and start practicing self-care.
•  Also watch out for their teammates to see if symptoms of
Compassion Fatigue and Burnout are surfacing.
•  Actively promote a compassion of culture in the
workplace (Lavender Fridays, Pet Therapy, Chair
Massage, Blessing of Hands, etc.).
•  Keep a log of their activity for 6 weeks and turn that into
LiveWell to get an incentive.
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