Compassion Fatigue Webinar Series

As Chair of the Compassion Fatigue Webinar Series, I’m pleased to share a brief reflection on the important conversations we hosted this June. The series—Compassion Fatigue in Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners—was developed to explore the emotional demands of oncology pharmacy practice and to provide practical strategies for managing them.

Across three focused sessions, we addressed:

• Recognising the Impact of Compassion Fatigue
• Practical Strategies to Combat the Impact
• Psychological Strategies to Reduce the Effects

Each session aimed to raise awareness of the challenges many in our profession face and to offer tools that support both personal well-being and professional resilience.

The feedback from participants was thoughtful and constructive. Many shared that the sessions prompted meaningful self-reflection and provided actionable strategies—ranging from mindfulness techniques to team support approaches—that could be applied immediately in their work environments.

Key Takeaways

Compassion Fatigue is Real

Many healthcare professionals experience it unknowingly. It can manifest quickly—some participants were surprised to learn that one can cycle through all four stages (anxiety, irritability, withdrawal, and robot) in a single day.

Vicarious Trauma Affects More Than We Realize

It’s not limited to frontline caregivers—all pharmacy staff members may be impacted.

Daily Self-Care is Essential

Simple, consistent practices can make a big difference. One participant shared:

“These sessions helped with self-stress management and gave me ideas on how to support my staff.”

Emotional Resilience

Caring for others requires emotional energy—and to sustain that, we must actively replenish our own emotional reservoir. While job satisfaction and finding meaning in your work can help fill your emotional reservoir, the demands of continually supporting others can also deplete it. That’s why it’s essential to seek renewal beyond the workplace. Taking time for yourself, stepping away from professional responsibilities, and engaging in restorative activities are not luxuries—they’re necessities. As compassionate oncology pharmacy practitioners, it’s easy to give endlessly to others. But true resilience begins when we also remember to give back to ourselves.

Quotes from Participants:

“I felt seen.”

“I didn’t know vicarious trauma was a thing—I’ve been carrying this for years.”

“It gives me a better understanding of my feelings when I interact with patients.”

“Really liked having a variety of stories and examples.”

Practical Tools Shared

Throughout the series, participants were introduced to a range of strategies to support emotional well-being and manage the demands of oncology pharmacy practice:

• Incorporate Daily Self-Care: Simple, consistent routines that help recharge emotional energy.
• Practice Mindfulness and Emotional Awareness: Techniques to stay present, recognize emotional responses, and respond with intention.
• Identify and Diffuse Stress Early: Learn to recognize the signs of stress and apply practical methods to manage it before it escalates.
• Be “Responsibly Selfish”: Prioritize your own well-being without guilt—self-care is not selfish, it’s essential.
• Take Time to Step Back: Create space to decompress and temporarily release the emotional weight of patient care.
• Lead with Compassion: Leaders play a key role in normalizing conversations about compassion fatigue and fostering a workplace culture that values mental health and emotional resilience.

And a good reminder: “Be kind to yourself—we need to learn to do this.”

Participants also offered valuable suggestions for future programming, including:

• Providing downloadable resources for continued reference
• Improving access to session recordings for those with demanding schedules
• Expanding the topic to other pharmacy disciplines
• Repeating the series at regular intervals

We extend our sincere appreciation to our expert presenters, Jayne Ellis and Ryan Lainchbury, for sharing their knowledge, stories, and insight throughout the series. We also thank every participant whose thoughtful engagement and feedback are helping shape future initiatives that prioritize the well-being of oncology pharmacy professionals.

As we look ahead and explore ways to build on the momentum of this impactful series, we encourage you to revisit the session recordings, share key insights with your colleagues, and most importantly, continue prioritizing your own well-being. Session recordings can be found here: 

To support your ongoing reflection, we invite you to complete the Compassion Fatigue Self-Assessment:

Let’s continue supporting one another—and ourselves—with the same compassion we offer our patients.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Jupp
Chair, ISOPP Compassion Fatigue Webinar Series