Vicarious trauma frequently impacts health care workers as they care for individuals experiencing medical and psychosocial challenges. This has the potential to impact personal beliefs and values, personal and professional relationships, and overall job performance.
Throughout this course, pediatric clinicians will learn to recognize typical signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma and identify appropriate self-care activities to combat these symptoms. See related courses on the Pediatric Learning Solutions Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Library page.
Objectives
- Explain vicarious trauma, including triggers and risk factors.
- Describe how vicarious trauma impacts individuals physically and emotionally.
- Discuss strategies to minimize or prevent the effects of vicarious trauma, including self-care techniques, peer support, building resilience, and practicing mindfulness.
Key features
- Examples of thoughts and behaviors that can help clinicians recognize vicarious trauma in themselves and others.
- In-depth explanations of the risk factors, presentation, and impact of vicarious trauma.
- Printable self-care strategies job aid.
More details
Health care providers are at risk for vicarious trauma as they frequently care for individuals who have experienced or are experiencing trauma. Chronic exposure to trauma can negatively impact a clinician as it has the potential to lead to lower employee satisfaction, burnout, anxiety, or depressive symptoms.
In addition to identifying the triggers of vicarious trauma, it is important to identify constructive strategies clinicians can use to care for themselves. Strengthening resiliency, engaging in regular self-care, and participating in hospital wellness programs are ways to avoid the negative impact from chronic exposure to secondary trauma.
NOTE: This course is only available to staff at PLS participating hospitals through their Learning Management Systems. Please check with your organization’s learning staff or contact Patty Kohn to learn more.
