Compassion Fatigue in Healthcare: Support Strategies
Compassion Fatigue in Healthcare: Support Strategies for GPs and Psychologists
When you signed up to become a healthcare professional, you probably expected some long days, tough cases, and the occasional interesting patient complaint (“I think I’m allergic to Wi-Fi”). What you might not have expected? The emotional burnout that comes from caring too much—also known as compassion fatigue.
For GPs and psychologists—whose day-to-day involves absorbing other people’s trauma, grief, anxiety, and suffering—it’s not just a risk. It’s practically a guarantee.
Let’s break down what compassion fatigue actually is, why it hits so hard in these roles, and what you can do to prevent it from wrecking your career (and your nervous system).
😔 What Is Compassion Fatigue?
Compassion fatigue is like emotional secondhand smoke. You’re not the one in crisis, but being near it constantly starts to wear you down.
Common symptoms:
- Emotional exhaustion
- Cynicism or detachment from patients
- Trouble sleeping
- Reduced empathy (aka “empathy fatigue”)
- A growing desire to quit or switch fields entirely
Sound familiar? You’re not alone—and it’s not a personal failure. It’s an occupational hazard.
💡 Support Strategies That Actually Work
Forget the vague “just practice self-care” advice. You need real, tactical tools that fit into a busy practice life.
1. Schedule Micro-Recoveries
- Between sessions or patients, take 2–3 minutes to breathe, stretch, or do nothing.
- Create “buffer time” between heavy cases so you don’t carry one patient’s trauma into the next consult.
2. Set Boundaries Like a Pro
- Say no to double-bookings, late-night emails, or squeezing in “one last” patient.
- Use scripts to politely enforce boundaries with patients and colleagues.
3. Get Clinical Supervision (Yes, Even GPs)
- Psychs know supervision is non-negotiable. GPs can benefit too.
- Peer support groups or professional debrief sessions = emotional offloading without stigma.
4. Automate Admin Stressors
- Compassion fatigue gets worse when you’re drowning in non-clinical work.
- Use tools or outsource services (hello, virtual admin assistants) to reduce mental load.
5. Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
Use this quick check-in once a week:
🩺 Am I avoiding certain types of patients?
😤 Do I feel irritated more than engaged?
🪫 Am I more tired after a break than before?
If the answer is “yes” to any—time to pause and reset.
🚑 Prevent Burnout Before It Becomes a Crisis
You can’t pour from an empty cup—but you can keep the cup from leaking in the first place.
Remember: resilience isn’t about powering through. It’s about having systems and support that let you keep showing up without burning out.
Need help creating a sustainable, human-friendly clinic model? That’s where we come in. Chat to Polar and let’s build a practice that protects your wellbeing and your bottom line.