7 ways to combat compassion fatigue

This is the patient’s eight admission over the course of two weeks. The patient is a heroin abuser and has bacteremia and endocarditis. Their heart valve is failing and they are in and out of congestive heart failure. Every day, dozens of medical professionals converge on the patient to give treatment and advice. And every day after hearing that advice, the patient leaves the hospital against medical advice and goes to use IV drugs. They wind up back in the hospital out of fear or panic, or they are brought back in after overdosing by the police. The cycle continues. In this common daily scenario, it is very easy as a provider to lose hope. We are doing our absolute best to treat patients who, many times, do not want or refuse our help. In the throws of their addiction, these patients are focused only on the next high —regardless if that costs them their lives. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Cardiology Hospital-Based Medicine Infectious Disease Primary Care Source Type: blogs