Causes Of Compassion Fatigue

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Pages: 2

The primary cause of compassion fatigue is exposure to trauma, however other factors play a vital role in health care providers developing this condition. Among these factors are working hours, experience, and innovations in medical science/technology. It is no secret that doctors work long hours, with medical residents regularly working 80 to100 hours a week until 2003 when the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACCGME) “capped the work-week at 80 hours” (Colin Dwyer). Aside from the obvious adverse effects of sleep deprivation and strenuous work, there is correlation between hours worked and compassion fatigue. In a comparative study conducted in 2013/2014, “Association of specialty and working hours with Compassion Fatigue”