Compassion fatigue is a form of traumatic stress resulting from repeated exposure to traumatized individuals or to aversive details of traumatic events while working in a helping or protecting profession. The term was coined in 1992 by Carla Joinson and is documented as affecting healthcare workers, social workers, firefighters and other caregivers, representing the indirect cost of trauma that comes from supporting other people through crisis after crisis.
Facts
Partially Attested
First Described YearThe phrase compassion fatigue was in use as early as 1961 and was popularized in 1985, but the term was introduced to the literature in 1992 by Carla Joinson. Core ClaimCompassion fatigue is the traumatic stress that results from working directly with victims of disasters, trauma or illness, especially in health care. 1 Classification
Type of Phenomenon Connections
Sources
1. Compassion fatigue (Wikipedia)
Lead, third paragraph
Compassion fatigue is considered to be the result of working directly with victims of disasters, trauma, or illness, especially in the health care industry.
History section, first paragraph
The term was introduced to the literature in 1992 by Carla Joinson to describe the negative impact hospital nurses were experiencing as a result of their repeated, daily exposure to patient emergencies.
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