Expert offers advice on addressing vicarious trauma at work

Acknowledging stress and finding ways to work through it is one method to address unwanted behaviors among people working in health care settings who may be experiencing vicarious trauma. The phenomenon results from repeated exposure to traumatic events, such as those experienced in the course of treating sick and dying patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with HealthLeaders Media, social worker Ellen Fink-Samnick of EFS Supervision Strategies offered approaches to addressing workforce stress and its behavioral manifestations. She also suggests resources staff can use to assess their stress and anxiety levels. (HealthLeaders Media article, 8/28/20)