Pediatric Healthcare Providers

Abstract

Healthcare providers are at risk for stress-related illness (e.g., burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress) due to the nature of their jobs. Healthcare providers who work in pediatrics face unique challenges compared to those who work in adult healthcare. This chapter reviews three common challenges pediatric healthcare providers face, including working with children who may die or may be facing death, managing difficult family dynamics, and responding to cases of suspected child abuse and neglect. In addition, pediatric providers face additional challenges during public health crises (e.g., natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic), including specific challenges related to telehealth, navigating a lack of services and mental health programs and managing adverse childhood events. Several recommendations are made throughout this chapter to assist pediatric providers with these challenges.