Trauma Registry Professionals' Perspectives on the Secondary Traumatic Stress Component of Compassion Fatigue: A Qualitative Study.

Journal: Journal of trauma nursing : the official journal of the Society of Trauma Nurses

Volume: 31

Issue: 2

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  Author Affiliations: Trauma Services, St Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, Missouri (Ms Truelove); Practice Excellence, St Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Arcipowski); Trauma Services, EMS Outreach, & Safety Stop, St Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, Missouri, (Ms Herndon); Trauma Services, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York (Ms McCormack); Practice Excellence (Retired), St Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Steurer); Practice Excellence (Retired), St Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Broeder); and Advanced Surgical Technology and Education Center, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Falls Church, Virginia (Dr Newcomb).

Abstract summary 

Secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue have been studied among trauma clinicians yet have not been explored in trauma registry professionals (TRPs).The purpose of this study is to describe the secondary traumatic stress component of compassion fatigue among TRPs.A qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted to examine TRPs' experiences with the secondary traumatic stress component of compassion fatigue. The primary investigator assembled a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including nursing leadership, registry educators, mental health experts, and qualitative researchers. Two focus groups were held virtually in January 2021, using an interview guide designed by the research team. Participants were recruited via an email sent to a list of colleagues known to the research team from training classes held nationally and selected for their diverse clinical experiences, years in the role, demographic background, and trauma center representation. The recorded sessions were independently transcribed and analyzed by a five-member subgroup of the research team; the analysis concluded in December 2022.Nine TRPs participated in the focus groups. Participants came from Level I, II, and III adult and pediatric trauma centers and military centers. Four themes emerged from the data: disquieting and rewarding work, reactions and emotional responses, the influence of personal histories and background, and coping strategies.A qualitative analysis of focus group discussions revealed the secondary traumatic stress component of compassion fatigue is present in the TRP.

Authors & Co-authors:  Truelove Arcipowski Herndon McCormack Steurer Broeder Newcomb

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Adler P. A., Adler P. (1994). Observational techniques. In Denzin N. K., Lincoln Y. S. (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research, pp. 377–392). Sage Publications, Inc.
Authors :  7
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1097/JTN.0000000000000775
SSN : 1078-7496
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Study Design
Phenomenological Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States