DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/P4RH-X184

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1850-2055

Defense Date

2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Health Related Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Stacey Reynolds

Second Advisor

Dr. Tyler Corson

Third Advisor

Dr. Rachel Wood

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Jiale Hu

Abstract

Therapists who work with burn survivors are frequently exposed to patients who are undergoing or have undergone severe trauma and pain. This exposure places burn therapists at risk for the development of compassion fatigue and diminished professional quality of life. Alternatively, the sense of purpose and altruism experienced by these same therapists have the potential to foster compassion satisfaction. This dissertation explores the prevalence and presentation of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction in burn therapists in the United States. This three-paper design focuses on: 1) a scoping review of current literature, 2) a cross-sectional quantitative survey utilizing the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) Version 5, and 3) a qualitative descriptive study of the experiences of acute care burn therapists. This dissertation revealed a significant gap in current literature related to the concepts of compassion fatigue and satisfaction in the burn therapist population. Quantitative results found low to moderate burnout and secondary traumatic stress (subscores of compassion fatigue) and moderate to high compassion satisfaction in burn therapists. Years of practice in burn care was found to be significantly related to all subscales of the ProQOL. The qualitative analysis revealed six common themes related to the experience of therapists who work with burn survivors. These themes focused on therapeutic relationships, autonomy, career longevity, team relationships, challenges to the healthcare business, and physical, emotional, and mental challenges to therapists’ resiliency. Together, these studies provide a first step in a line of research to describe, define, and combat compassion fatigue and improve compassion satisfaction in burn therapists.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

9-20-2023

Available for download on Friday, September 19, 2025

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