Motivation and stress experienced by staff working with the terminally ill

Abstract

Concern with needs of dying patients too often leads to neglect of corresponding needs of staff members who work with them. This paper describes how motivation of staff to work with dying patients can effect the job stress they encounter. It is suggested that staff often choose to work with the dying for one of six reasons: accident or convenience, a desire to do the “in thing” or to affiliate with a charismatic leader, intellectual appeal and a desire for mastery over pain and death, a sense of “calling,” previous personal experience, and a suspicion that one might some day develop the disease.

Each motivation may lead to its own particular forms of stress. In addition, constant exposure to the dying can effect one's personal life and relationships with family members and friends. A number of suggestions are given for coping with job stress including: understanding one's own limits, maintaining a balanced personal life, and developing effective support systems on and off the job.