Self-Care and Sustainability for Pediatric Oncology Providers

Abstract

Psychosocial providers who care for children with cancer are vulnerable to emotional and psychological reactions including burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma simply given the nature of the work. Secondary traumatic stress is an 'occupational hazard' for all practitioners working in pediatric oncology services. There is limited information in the literature specifically about pediatric psychosocial oncology professionals; therefore, this chapter focuses on the existing literature in the following populations: adult and pediatric oncology professionals, pediatric palliative care professionals, and psychosocial professionals. Implications from existing studies will be drawn together lo inform how we help pediatric psychosocial oncology professionals take care of themselves professionally. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)