Presentation Information

Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

Burnout, Secondary Trauma, and Moral Injury in Perinatal Care Providers

  • Speaker: Kathleen Kendall-Tackett , PhD, IBCLC, FAPA
  • Presentation Type:
  • Duration: 75 Mins
  • Credits: 1.25 CERP, 1.25 ACM CPD, 1.25 ACNM CEU, 0.1 Midwifery CEU
Abstract:

Working in perinatal care can be deeply rewarding. It can also lead to job-related burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and moral injury. Secondary traumatic stress (compassion fatigue), or moral injury, can occur when witnessing traumatic events in the workplace. This can occur when witnessing infant death or traumatic births, or when there is too much work, or work that doesn’t seem to make a difference, and little institutional support. Unfortunately, this is remarkably common among caregivers for perinatal women. Burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral injury can lead to physical and mental health sequelae for care providers and have a negative effect on the care they provider. Self-care is essential for being able to provide care to others. In this presentation, participants will learn about the causes and consequences of burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral injury. Fortunately, there is hope for recovery. Participants will learn some specific strategies for integrating self-care into their care for others.