Through a generous gift form Margery Pabst of the Pabst Foundation, the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute (FHC) oncology social work team is researching biochemical outcomes in identified oncology nurses experiencing compassion fatigue. This collaborative research effort includes FHCI, the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Pabst Foundation.

After years of studying and training over 1,200 employees, Chuck Micdeli, LCSW, BCD, manager of social work services
at the FHCI is putting the topic of “compassion fatigue” under the microscope. Mr. Miceli will be working with:

     · Eileen Abel, PhD, professor at UCF School of Social Work

     · Sally Litherland, PhD, manager, translational research, FHCI adjunct associate professor, Sanford-Burnham Medical        Research Institute, courtesy assistant professor, Department of Pathology, Immunology & Lab Med, College of        Medicine, UCF

     · Margery Pabst, Pabst Foundation

     · David Decker, MD, FACP, executive director, FHCI professor of internal medicine, UCF

With similar symptoms, compassion fatigue is often confused with being “burned out,” or feeling exhausted in the workplace. Overtime, if left unattended, the professional caregiver may become less effective or verbalize somatic complaints.

Compassion fatigue studies indicate a human dynamic that can be differentiated form burnout and if recognized early,
can be addressed effectively. The research being conducted will look for changes in specific blood indicators based on
an intervention developed to lessen the effects of compassion fatigue in the healthcare workplace. Additionally, this project will be the foundation for a research-based training manual to assist with the long-term effects of caregiving.

For more information, contact Chuck Miceli, LCSW, BCD, at charles.miceli@flhosp.org