Effects on caregivers of patients' psychological or physical pain

Caregivers generally manage to take on patients pain and suffering or to unconsciously set up defense mechanisms to protect themselves. But when they begin to feel powerless, they can become subject to trauma, especially if this sentiment persists. The theoretical articulation between powerlessness and the similar concept of Hilflosigkeit is heuristic. This latter teaches us that, in these situations, the existence of a third party, foreign to the staggering situations experienced by the caregivers is important. This person will allow the staff to reflect on what they are going through. This is the goal of supervision groups. A place in which to deposit emotions, they also provide an environment to work on counter-transference, to identify the effects of caregivers' ego ideal and to elaborate into thought raw emotional experiences. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.