‘Compassion fatigue’ had set in among Peel nurses & doctors before the fight against COVID-19; are they prepared for the aftermath?
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This “depersonalization,” also labelled as “compassion fatigue” creates a lack of empathy as a result of continuous physical and emotional exhaustion. Having someone on the frontline of Ontario’s healthcare system who has trouble caring for others is like having a truck driver barreling down a highway who doesn’t care if he falls asleep at the wheel.
The startling reality however is that our provincial and federal governments have known about this problem for decades, and little has been done to address the root causes.
A 2019 study found Ontario healthcare professionals working in critical care are severely burnt out, and that was before COVID-19.
Hospitals have been able to handle the increased demand, but the work won’t end once the pandemic begins to fade.
Are our heroes in the battle prepared to deal with what comes next?
Published in The Pointer Brampton and The Pointer Mississauga on April 27, 2020
