Reflections on burnout and self-care management in social work

Abstract

This article explores pertinent concerns raised by social work students on their exposure to working with people with AIDS (PWAs). Compassion fatigue and burnout become a constant reality to these students, who audit their feelings within a support group environment. The poignant question they posed was: "How do we comprehend our own feelings after we have counselled an HIV/AIDS patient?" It is evident that self-care should not be regarded as a low priority or even negligible in the lives of healthcare professionals, as it may ultimately lead to vicarious trauma. It is strongly suggested that support groups for students working with PWAs become compulsory.