The Role of Fatigue of Compassion, Burnout and Hopelessness in Healthcare: Experience in the Time of COVID-19 Outbreak.

BACKGROUND: In the times of serious health alarm, as it is happening in the COVID-19 pandemic, burden of healthcare is likely to explode. The current pandemic is having a profound effect on all aspects of society, including mental health and physical health. In a previous study we showed interaction between compassion fatigue, burnout and workload. METHODS: In our study, we have evaluated stress levels in 102 healthcare workers recruited in different rehabilitation departments (psychiatric and multidisciplinary). In particular, we evaluated the fatigue of compassion, vicarious trauma, burnout and hope (hopelessness) in the first two months of lookdown due to the COVID-19. RESULTS: The results obtained after the administration of the following evaluation scales: sCFs, CBI, Pro QOL, HBS, showed an overall increase in the scores in all professional figures. Significant compassion fatigue and burnout percentage is present in several groups. The highest levels of hopelessness in some professional figures, while higher educational levels can protect workers from the risk of developing high levels of work stress. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained with this study are similar to those of our previous study, although they may indicate that during the period of the coronavirus pandemic the scores of the several scales used are higher.

Relationship between Cognitive Remediation and Evaluation Tools in Clinical Routine.

Many clinicians do not have adequate knowledge and interest in assessing cognitive deficits in psychiatric patients. However, these deficits are crucial and key symptoms, which can lead to impairment of quality of life, worsening of symptoms of disorders and difficulties in social, family and work relationships. Another limitation to the assessment of cognitive deficits is the poor maneuverability and practicality of the main cognitive assessment tools. Because there are no appropriate pharmacological approaches, new techniques have been developed to improve cognitive abilities in these patients. The most important techniques concern cognitive remediation (CR). In this article we summarize the main techniques of cognitive remediation.

Psychiatric caregiver stress: clinical implications of compassion fatigue.

The capacity to work productively is a key component of health and emotional well-being. People who work in health care can be exposed to the fatigue of care. Compassion fatigue has been described as an occupational hazard specific to clinical work related severe emotional distress. In our study, we have evaluated compassion fatigue in a mental health group (47 psychiatric staff) and its relationship with inpatients (237 inpatients) affected by some psychiatric disorders. At baseline, the more significant data indicate a high percentage of Job Burnout and Compassion Fatigue in psychiatric nurses (respectively, 39.28%, 28.57%). Significant Compassion Fatigue percentage is present also in psychologist group (36.36%). Finally, in psychiatrists, the exposure to patients increased vicarious trauma (28.57%), but not job burnout. After a year of participation in Balint Groups, the psychiatric staff presented an overall reduction in total mean score in any administered scale (CBI: p<0.0000045; sCFs: (Vicarious Trauma: p<0.0288; Job Burnout: p<0.000001)). Thus, compassion fatigue causes concern among mental health professionals, and Balint Groups may represent a therapeutic strategy to help health professionals to face difficulties in challenging work environments.