The relation of clinical empathy to secondary traumatic stress

Abstract

A growing body of empirical research shows that health professionals working with survivors of traumatic events may develop traumatic symptoms themselves. Empathy is one of the main risk factors associated with clinical competence and patient outcome. Seventy seven medical workers from emergency and intensive care units were surveyed to determine the presence of secondary traumatic stress and explore the distinct relations to sympathy and empathy. Sympathetic health professionals are most vulnerable. On the contrary, clinical empathy is not significantly related to traumatic symptoms.