Outline

Feature Image – Professional Quality of Life - Hierarchy
Requirements & Charter Information
Development Stream
Results Up Front For
ProQOL Applies to these Professions
ProQOL - Strengths-based Measures Tool
Define Metric & Metrics
Related - Vicarious Trauma
Elements of Quality of Life
Brand New Day (BND) – Quality Of Life (QOL) – Specification
Professional Quality Of Life (ProQOL) – Lesson Plan-02
Specification - Stamm (2009) – Professional Quality Of Life (ProQOL)
Table - Quality Of Life Related Assessments – COTS Origin
Professional Quality of Life Elements Theory
Quick Score Method (Predictive)
Assessment Cluster – Quality of Life (QOL)
Special Topic – Separatism – Double Standard
Compare BND QOL with ProQOL
ProQOL History – Structured Temporal Reconciliation (STR)
Matrix - Helpers ProQOL – Predictions
ProQOL Sub-scores and Legend
The ProQOL 5 Self-Score - Professional Quality of Life
Content Area Literacy – Professional Quality of Life
2016 – Matrix - Snapshot Presentation
20210828-SAT: Moving from Raw Score to Percent
2016 Versus 2018 - Matrix – ProQOL Sub-scores for KE Torkelson, MS
Apply to Another
Apply to Another
Retirement

Development Stream

20160312-SAT-Initial
20170822-TU-Forwarded
20180714-SAT-Brought Forward
20181119-M to 20181120TU-At M6ONA
20181121-W-Split
20190713-SAT-Forwarded
20210828-SAT-Forwarded
20220129-SAT-Forwarded
20230704-TU-Forwarded
2024-?-Burned Out
20250402-W-Forwarded
20250412-SA-Print Original
20250628-SA-In association with HSB

Results Up Front For:

Vocabulary

Metric

Metrics are methods of measuring something, or the results obtained from such measurements.

ProQOL Applies to these Professions

The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) applies broadly to any helper or caregiver working in a professional or volunteer context who supports individuals experiencing trauma, pain, or hardship.

Covered Professions and Roles

Healthcare Professionals:

Nurses, doctors, therapists, counselors, mental health workers, physiotherapists, and clinical staff.

Social and Human Services:

Social workers, case managers, and staff at human rights or relief organizations.

Emergency and Disaster Response:

Paramedics, firefighters, police officers, and crisis response teams.

Education:

Teachers, school administrators, and support staff.

Legal and Advocacy:

Attorneys, legal aid workers, and public defenders.

Clergy and Spiritual Care:

Chaplains, priests, pastors, and community faith leaders.

Animal Care Helpers:

Veterinarians and animal shelter or rescue workers.

The tool evaluates both paid staff and volunteers across any occupation involving emotional labor or direct/indirect exposure to stressful and traumatic events. You can learn more or complete the assessment on the ProQOL Website.

ProQOL - Strengths-based Measures Tool

Why take the ProQOL?

You take the ProQOL (Professional Quality of Life Scale) to measure the positive and negative impacts of working in a helping or caregiving profession.

Key Reasons to Take the ProQOL

Screen for Compassion Fatigue:

It detects early signs of Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress before they become severe.

Measure Compassion Satisfaction:

Unlike standard stress tests, it captures the joy, pleasure, and sense of accomplishment you get from doing your job well.

Monitor Personal Wellbeing:

Taking the 30-item self-report questionnaire helps you track your emotional health over time and decide when to adjust our self-care routine.

Guide Supervision and Support:

Teams and organizations use aggregate results to plan staff support, improve workplace resilience, and guide training.

What the ProQOL Measures

The tool breaks down your score into three distinct 10-item subscales (rated over the last 30 days):

Compassion Satisfaction:

Positive feelings about your ability to be effective and help others.

Burnout: Feelings of emotional exhaustion, frustration, and hopelessness tied to your workload or system stress.

Secondary Traumatic Stress:

Work-related fear, trauma, or distress resulting from secondary exposure to client or patient trauma.

Note: The ProQOL is a self-reflection and screening instrument, not a formal medical diagnosis.
Aside: Renewed Interest

Related to Ahnika

Related to AgPrisma

Define Metric & Metrics

A metric is a quantifiable standard, rule, or function used to measure, evaluate, or track a specific characteristic, performance, or distance. Metrics (the plural form) are the collection of data points, numbers, or calculated values used to provide insight into a system, process, business activity, or project over time.

Core Meanings & Contexts

Business & Analytics:

A metric is a calculated value (such as conversion rate, profit margin, or churn rate) derived from raw data measures to track progress or performance.

Mathematics & Geometry:

A metric is a function that defines the distance between two points in a metric space.

Measurement Systems:

"Metric" also refers to the decimal system of measurement based on the meter, liter, and kilogram.

Poetry & Music:

"Metric" relates to the rhythmic structure of verse or song.

Key Differences:

Measure vs. Metric

Measure:

A raw, foundational, uncalculated data point (e.g., total website visitors, raw dollars, or single sensor readings).

Metric:

A processed, calculated output that adds context, ratios, averages, or timeframes to measures (e.g., bounce rate, sales growth rate, or average session duration).

Learn more about technical frameworks through the NIST Metrics and Measures Guidelines.

Related - Vicarious Trauma

Vicarious trauma is not a formal standalone diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), instead, chronic indirect exposure to trauma can meet criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Secondary Traumatic Stress.

Clinicians evaluate and diagnose the impact of vicarious trauma by assessing symptom overlap with PTSD and using specialized screening instruments.

How Clinicians Evaluate It

Clinical Interview & History:

A mental health professional assesses a history of chronic, secondhand, or empathetic exposure to other people's traumatic events (common in therapists, social workers, medical staff, and first responders).

Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS):

A self-report or clinical tool frequently used to measure intrusion, avoidance, and arousal symptoms stemming from secondary exposure. [1]

DSM-5 PTSD Criteria:

Under current criteria, repeated or extreme indirect exposure to aversive details of traumatic events (excluding media exposure unless work-related) can satisfy the trauma-exposure requirement for a PTSD diagnosis if accompanied by intrusion, negative mood/cognitions, avoidance, and arousal alterations.

Common Symptom Clusters Evaluated

Intrusion: Unwanted distressing memories, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts regarding a client's or patient's trauma.

Avoidance:

Withdrawing from friends, family, or work tasks; emotional numbing; or feeling detached from others.

Cognitive & Worldview Shifts:

Loss of meaning, persistent cynicism, heightened distrust, or viewing the world as inherently dangerous.

Physical & Arousal Signs:

Hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, and physical tension.

FYI – SI - If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, I can help you find local mental health resources or guide you on how to prepare for a consultation with a licensed trauma therapist.

In House > Metadata >

Assess_ProQOL_18080601_COTS_Tool

Purpose

The purpose of this study is personal. We hope to improve our compassion satisfaction while decreasing our burnout and vicarious trauma.

Elements of Quality of Life

Driving
Assessment Specification
Family
Harmony
Health
Life-long-learning
Literacy
Medication
Peace
Physical Fitness
Purpose
Roommate
Resources
Sleep
Walking

Brand New Day (BND) – Quality Of Life (QOL) - Specification

Professional Quality Of Life (ProQOL) – Lesson Plan-02

Authored by Keith Torkelson & AVEY (201811)

https://ktork46.blogspot.com/2018/11/quality-of-life-qol-unit-professional.html

20181202-SU: Page Views = 18: Chartered: 11/25/18

20210418-SU: Page Views = 58:

20261018-SU: Page Views = 103:

Details about Publication

Specification - Stamm (2009) – Professional Quality Of Life (ProQOL)

How we ran across the ProQOL Metric

20141022:

We first made contact with the ProQOL at the COE Spirituality Conference (2014). The group or presentation was call: Vicarious Trauma Group. They had a handout of the ProQOL (2009) yet it was incomplete. The complete ProQOL contains 3 pages.

Evidence for Double Standard

The questions on a standard QOL assessment differ considerably from those on the ProQOL. Standard assessments center about Basic QOL while the ProQOL centers on a Working QOL.

Change Management

2014_10_22: ProQOL first obtained at the COE Spirituality Conference (2014)

In House > Metadata >

From - Assess_QOL_Cluster_18090701_Index

Table - Quality Of Life Related Assessments – COTS Origin

Elimination List - QOL Cluster

(*) CMS fails to send us our scores back

Vocabulary

Compassion Satisfaction

Compassion Fatigue

Burnout

Secondary Traumatic Stress

Vicarious Traumatization

Vicarious Transformation

FYI - The Center for Victims of Torture

https://www.cvt.org/

Professional Quality of Life Elements Theory

The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) theory and measurement—developed by Dr. Beth Hudnall Stamm—evaluates the positive and negative effects of working as a helper or responder for people who have experienced suffering and trauma.

You can access the official instrument and guidance directly on the ProQOL Website.

Core Theoretical Elements

The ProQOL model breaks professional quality of life down into two main domains: Compassion Satisfaction (positive) and Compassion Fatigue (negative, which splits into Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress).

Compassion Satisfaction (CS):

The pleasure, joy, and sense of accomplishment you get from doing your work well. Derived from feeling effective at work, liking your colleagues, and believing your job has positive societal value.

Burnout (BO):

A negative state characterized by feelings of hopelessness, frustration, exhaustion, and poor-fitting workload.

Driven primarily by organizational and environmental stressors (e.g., heavy caseloads, administrative burden, lack of support, or low pay).

Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS):

A work-related, secondary exposure to extremely stressful or traumatic events experienced by the people you help. Manifests as rapid onset fear, intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, or avoidance behaviors similar to post-traumatic stress.

Quick Score Method (Predictive)

ProQOL = Professional Quality of Life

Results for Keith “Buster” Torkelson MS

Compare with 2016

In House > Metadata >

From: Assess_ProQOL_16031203_Results V2023

Note: Saturday is Buster’s Quality of Life day of the week

Vicarious Transformation

Vicarious transformation is an ongoing, intentional process that results in a deepened sense of connection with others, a greater appreciation in one's life, and a greater sense of meaning and hope.

Assessment Cluster – Quality of Life (QOL)

All Classified as Welfare Indicators or Indicators of Welfare

BND = Brand New Day | HCA = Health Care Agency

In House > Metadata >

Assess_QOL_AFA_Agent_Fortune_18100601_Develop

In House > Lesson Plan > Metadata >

Assess_ProQOL_Lesson-02_18112101_Framework V2026

Special Topic – Separatism – Double Standard

Separatism is the advocacy or practice of separation of a certain group of people from a larger body on the basis of Job title. The BND assessment varies greatly from the ProQOL. This indicates that professionals have a superior QOL than do consumers of behavioral health services.

Aside > In House > Metadata >

06_CSUFLessonPlanTemplate V2018 ProQOL

ProQOL Comments

In House > Metadata >

07_Assess_QOL_Cluster_15060604_Refs v2016

Note: Complete – 3 Pages were shared with Tom 20160117-SU:

20171007-SA: Tom perplexes us

The ProQOL 5 Self-Score - Professional Quality of Life

B. Hudnall Stamm, 2009-2012.

Professional Quality of Life: [MEASURES]

Compassion, Satisfaction and Fatigue Version 5 (ProQOL)

Promotion > Good Site

http://www.proqol.org/

“This test may be freely...used”

Metadata - Page

Assess_ProQOL_Scorer_16080403 2016 4 Gibbs

08_LS_Profile_Gibbs_16070601_Intro

Content Area Literacy – Professional Quality of Life

What is compassion satisfaction?

ProQOL Compassion Satisfaction

Compassion Satisfaction

Compassion satisfaction is about the pleasure you derive from being able to do your work. For example, you may feel like it is a pleasure to help others through what you do at work. You may feel positively about your colleagues or your ability to contribute to the work setting or even the greater good of society through your work with people who need care. On the other side of compassion satisfaction can be Compassion Fatigue is the negative aspect of helping those who experience traumatic stress and suffering.

What is Burnout?

https://proqol.org/burnout

Burnout is characterized by feeling emotionally depleted or drained and can result after a period of long-term, work related stress. There are three key aspects to burnout which you may experience in varying degrees.

Emotional exhaustion

Feeling that your personal energy is gone or depleted

Depersonalization and cynicism

Feeling detached from your work, including a loss of motivation or interest

Feelings of inefficacy

Feeling helpless or hopeless about your work and a sense of failure to reach your personal work-related goals

What is compassion fatigue?

Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue is the negative aspect of our work as helpers. There are two parts. The first part concerns things such as exhaustion, frustration, anger and depression typical of burnout.

Secondary Traumatic Stress

Secondary Traumatic Stress is a negative feeling driven by fear and work-related trauma. It is important to remember that some trauma at work can be direct (primary) trauma. In other cases, work-related trauma may be a combination of both primary and secondary trauma. Compassion fatigue is the negative aspect of helping those who experience traumatic stress and suffering. Compassion Satisfaction is the positive aspect of helping.

What is Secondary Trauma?

Secondary trauma—also known as secondary traumatic stress (STS) or compassion fatigue—is a psychological condition where a person develops PTSD-like symptoms after indirect exposure to another person’s traumatic experience. It happens when you hear about, witness, or consistently support someone dealing with severe emotional or physical pain rather than experiencing the event yourself.

2016 – Matrix - Snapshot Presentation

Scores for and by Keith E Torkelson, MS

Assessment - B. Hudnall Stamm, 2009-2012

Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL)

All Measurements in Real Time (RT) | InterP = Interpretation (Liberal)

HSF = High Score is Favorable | LSF = Low Score is Favorable

Corrected: 20210828-SAT: Last Reviewed: 20261018-SU:

Spreadsheet Scorer > Metadata >

Assess_ProQOL_Scorer_16030306_For-2016 MAR

(*) It has a very liberal interpretation scheme

Notes

ProQOL

Owner/Author: B. Hudnall Stamm

Polarity: Minimal Polarity (Negative Scoring) Issues

Transformation: Moderately Difficult

Trend: Positive (Strengths-based)

Slope (m) 2016 to 2018: Slight Positive

Note: This qualifies as a Longitudinal Assessment with 10 Items per Sub-score and total of 30 Items.

In House > Metadata >

Assess_ProQOL_Scorer_18071401_For-2018 JULY

2016 Versus 2018 - Matrix – ProQOL Sub-scores for Keith E Torkelson, MS

Two Points in Time

Is Compassion Satisfaction a Good Thing?

Yes, compassion satisfaction is generally considered a positive and desirable outcome. It refers to the pleasure and fulfillment derived from helping others and making a positive impact, which can lead to increased resilience and overall well-being. It's the positive flip side of compassion fatigue, a concept that describes the emotional and physical exhaustion that can result from prolonged exposure to suffering.

2016 Versus 2018 - Matrix – ProQOL Sub-scores for Keith E Torkelson, MS

Two Points in Time

2016 Versus 2018 - Matrix – ProQOL Sub-scores for Keith E Torkelson, MS

Two Points in Time

Scores for Keith E Torkelson, MS

Breakdown of Sub-scores

Interpretation = InterP: What is my score and what does it mean?

In this section, you will score your test so you understand the interpretation (InterP) for you. To find your score on each section, total the questions listed on the left and then find your score in the interpretation table on the right of the section.

Scale Breakdown – 1 of 3

Scores for Keith E Torkelson, MS

Matrix - Subscale – ProQOL Compassion Satisfaction – 10 of 30 Items

Scale Breakdown – 2 of 3

Scores for Keith E Torkelson, MS

Matrix - Subscale – ProQOL – Burnout

Burnout Sub-Scale – 10 of 30 Items

Last Reviewed: 20181116-F: | RT = Real Time

Scale Breakdown – 3 of 3

Matrix - Subscale – ProQOL – 30 Items

Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) – Sub-Scale - 10 of 30 Items

Scores for Keith E Torkelson, MS – Last Reviewed: 20181116-F

Apply to Another

Matrix – ProQOL Sub-scores for Jeff Gibbs, MA – All Scored 20160804-TH: Predictions

Apply to Another

Matrix – ProQOL Sub-scores for Chester D Mojica, MD – 2017 Predictions

Predicted his early retirement

Scorer = Keith Torkelson MS for CDM

AVG = Average | HSF = High Scores are Favorable | LSF = Low Scores are Favorable

Retirement

These are the ProQOL scores for Chester D Mojica, MD (CDM) at the time (2016) our Primary Care Physician. All were scored on 20160804 (TH). From these scores we predicted his early retirement. Note in 2021 CDM retired early from his position at Central City Community Health Center. He was approximately 60 years old.

Objective @ the End

Dr. Chester Mojica, MD

Family Medicine | 35+ years of experience

https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-chester-mojica-327lc

2.5 Star Rating - Based on 17 reviews