Abstract
To provide a structured outlet where multi-disciplinary members of an oncology healthcare team can collaborate to express their feelings and thoughts pertaining to difficult topics that arise in the process of caring for patients and their caregivers. It has been well documented in the literature that compassion fatigue, also known as ‘the cost of caring’ can lead to burnout amongst healthcare workers. In response to this identified issue the task of developing a multi-disciplinary peer support program was initiated. In order to gauge staff interest in this novel forum, several pilot sessions of ‘Peer Support Rounds’ were conducted. The rounds consisted of a facilitator who led the conversations around a specific topic. ‘Dealing with difficult patients’, ‘medical assistance in dying’ and ‘putting the humanity back into healthcare’ were some of the topics that were discussed. At the commencement of each session ‘ground rules’ were reiterated which consisted of: maintaining confidentiality, sharing the airtime and offering support. It was emphasized that these sessions are not meant to solve problems or to judge how particular situations were handled, they are a forum to freely discuss thoughts, feelings and emotions. In order to ensure that participants were appropriately supported a member of the spiritual care team was present. After the first 5 sessions a feedback survey was sent to participants. The most prevalent challenges identified were trying to find a date/time that was suitable for everyone and securing a facilitator. Creating an inclusive environment where members of the multi-disciplinary team can express empathy towards others' perspectives and providing staff members an outlet to express bottled emotions in a safe, supportive setting were amongst some of the noted benefits. Enhancement of staff well-being and cohesion of the multi-disciplinary team. Further sessions are being arranged and will continue to be evaluated.
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