Which statement about compassion fatigue is accurate?

• A. It can develop from prolonged exposure to others' suffering.
• B. It is cured by avoiding patient contact.
• C. It affects only physicians.
• D. It resolves within a day.

Answer: (A)

Compassion fatigue arises from prolonged exposure to others' suffering, especially for those who care for patients over extended periods. This cumulative stress can erode empathy, lead emotional exhaustion, and manifest as mood changes, irritability, sleep problems, and a sense of detachment. It isn’t something cured by avoiding patient contact; withdrawal can actually worsen the problem and undermine patient care. Recovery and prevention come from deliberate coping strategies and support: regular breaks, supervision or debriefing after difficult cases, peer support, clear professional boundaries, and self-care practices like rest, mindfulness, and stress management. It can affect any healthcare professional who works with suffering, not just physicians, and it typically does not resolve in a single day—it builds over time and requires ongoing effort to mitigate.