Ercast

Most of us are motivated to have compassion for those in need, but sometimes it can feel like the tank is running on empty. In this episode, wellness expert Kim Baumbach, MD gives insight into compassion fatigue and strategies to thwart it. Compassion fatigue is cumulative emotional and physical exhaustion stemming from exposure to the suffering of others. It is the “cost” of caring for others who are suffering. It leads to a diminished ability to manifest empathy compared to your normal baseline (this is important- it does not mean you are no longer a compassionate or empathetic person!)Compassion fatigue is distinct from burnout. Burnout comes from factors in the external environment that are not necessarily related to empathy, such as increased administrative burden or lack of autonomy. CF is unique because it includes secondary trauma. There are many similarities, including depersonalization, a reduced sense of personal accomplishment and meaning, and physical exhaustion.  In a&nb