The challenges and pressures of working in a correctional environment make correctional health professionals and custody staff high-risk groups for compassion fatigue, with symptoms that mirror post-traumatic stress disorder including feelings of inefficacy, hopelessness, physical and emotional exhaustion, and decreased productivity. This presentation aims to facilitate a conversation with helping professionals to identify and assist in reducing the damaging effects of compassion fatigue. The concept will be explored using the Compassion Fatigue-Compassion Satisfaction model.

Educational Objectives:

• Compare concepts of compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout
• Describe the Compassion Fatigue-Compassion Satisfaction model
• Review the causes, consequences, and strategies for managing compassion fatigue in front-line staff

Level: Basic