title: Minimising compassion fatigue in obstetrics/gynaecology doctors: exploring an intervention for an occupational hazard.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the indicators of occupational stress in a group of obstetrics and gynaecology doctors and to investigate the impact of work-focused discussion groups over a 6 month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ProQOL questionnaire was used to measure the efficacy of monthly psychiatrist-led Balint style discussion groups on minimising Compassion Fatigue (consisting of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout). The 25 doctors were given the given the ProQOL questionnaire to complete: (a) at the initiation of the intervention in July 2015, (b) in October 2015, and (c) in December 2015.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly decreased levels of Secondary Traumatic Stress ( p=0.008), Burnout ( p=0.010), as well as significantly increased rates of Compassion Satisfaction ( p=0.035) were recorded. Participants requested that the groups be continued.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychiatrist-led work focused discussion groups were associated with improved rates of Secondary Traumatic Stress, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction in this sample group.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Registrar, Hollywood Private Hospital, Nedlands, WA Australia.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Department of Psychological Medicine, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Department of Psychological Medicine, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Registrar, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Edwina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coghlan
authors.affiliation: Biostatistician, The School of Women's and Infants' Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Nathan
mesh_terms: D002055:Burnout, Professional; D000068376:Compassion Fatigue; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D009774:Obstetrics; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: burnout; compassion fatigue; compassion satisfaction; intervention; physicians; secondary traumatic stress; vicarious trauma