Brookhaven Hospital: Mental Health Treatment for Behavioral Health Problems, Chemical Dependency, Eating Disorders, Brain Injuries, and Renewal Christian Treatment and Recovery

Monday, June 26, 2006 11:54 AM
posted by R. Shock

Coping with Compassion Fatigue

In an insightful interview with WebMD.com's Medscape, Dr. Charles Figley discusses compassion fatigue, a state experienced by those helping people in distress and a phenomena that affects health care workers and the general public alike.

Dr. Figley began his study of psychologically traumatized people in the 1970's which led him to notice in the 1980's that many of his colleagues no longer worked in the field. When he studied deeper he found that these professionals were reacting to the "toxicity of the work". Further study revealed that those health care professionals who could remain in the field had certain methods of self care that he came to identify as ways of preventing and mitigating compassion fatigue.

Click here to read the full interview, courtesy of WebMD.com's Medscape (may require free registration)
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Rolf B. Gainer, Ph.D., Diplomate ABDA, is the Chief Executive Office at Brookhaven Hospital and the Vice President of Rehabilitation Institutes of America. Dr. Gainer has been involved in the design and operation of treatment programs since 1977.

Stephen Harnish, MD is the Medical Director of Brookhaven Hospital. Dr. Harnish is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and is well known in Oklahoma for his informative radio and television appearances.

Aric Thorpe, MHR, is Brookhaven Hospital's Pastoral Liaison Representative. He conducts the quarterly Minister's Lifeline series and provides mental health information to pastors and clergy.

Sarah McGee, BA, serves as the Community Education Provider for Brookhaven Hospital. She provides information on mental health and drug and alcohol treatment to healthcare professionals in Oklahoma and surrounding states.

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