Secondary Trauma among Medical Professionals

The capacity to care is a strength and vulnerability for medical caregivers. Most professional caregivers self-select to pursue careers in medicine, nursing, and allied health fields because of an ego-syntonic capacity for empathy and compassion and a desire to help others. The capacity to care is an essential component of the therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic use of self in the caregiver role is as important as the medicines, machines, and medical treatments in the recovery of the patient or maximizing quality of life. The capacity to care is unlike other medical interventions in that it cannot be ordered from external supply companies or pharmacies. Professional caring requires systematic investment by the caregiver to ensure that there are adequate resources to meet patient, professional, and personal ...