Combatting compassion fatigue: caring for people living with HIV

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this project was to introduce healthcare workers, who provide care for people living with HIV, to mindfulness-based interventions as a mechanism to cope with compassion fatigue. Methodology: The project utilized a pretest-posttest survey design to evaluate the impact of MBIs on compassion fatigue. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL-5) scale and a post- intervention survey were the tools used to measure the outcomes of the study. Identical ProQOL- 5 surveys were administered prior to the start of implementing the mindfulness-based interventions and following implementation. Mindfulness-based interventions were administered over a six-week time frame at a long-term care/rehabilitation faculty in northern, NJ. Results: There were no significant changes shown in burnout and secondary trauma stress. There was a significant increase found in the levels of compassion satisfaction The majority of the people that used the mindfulness app reported that they found it to be beneficial and would use it in the future. Implications: There are implications that incorporating mindfulness will yield economic/cost benefits in healthcare. These benefits include a reduction of costs related to employee mental health, employee physical health, decreased employee retention, and poor quality of care delivered to patients. Policies should be incorporated that promote awareness of compassion fatigue and management. Promoting management tools for compassion fatigue, such as mindfulness, will help to improve professional quality of life and individual self-care.DNPIncludes bibliographical reference