Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in haematology cancer nurses: A cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to investigate compassion satisfaction (CS) and compassion fatigue (CF) in haematology nurses and their associated factors. Design A cross‐sectional survey. Methods The survey was conducted on 336 haematology nurses from 21 hospitals in Sichuan, China. The CS and CF were assessed by the Professional Quality of Life Scale version 5. The CF was determined by burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Results Haematology nurses in China had moderate levels of CS and moderate‐to‐low CF. Better nursing competence of teaching/consultation and communication/coordination and the percentage of critically ill patients >60% predicted higher CS. The permanent nurse, better nursing competence of communication/coordination and specialized clinical practice predicted less burnout, while working >40 hr per week or more nurse‐patient conflict events predicted more burnout. In addition, working >40 hr per week, more nurse‐patient conflict events and having the need of psychological support predicted higher secondary traumatic stress.

Secondary traumatic stress and vicarious posttraumatic growth in healthcare professionals: A meta-analysis.

“…In the case of nurses, the relationship between STS and VPTG was weaker and negative. This could be explained by the fact that among the different categories of professionals, nurses are the ones who form the strongest bonds with patients, as a result of coming into contact with them more often (Chen et al, 2022). Furthermore, they are expected not only to take care of the patients, but to also be compassionate when doing so, and to manage their emotions in order to display a demeanor considered appropriate for the situation (Chen et al, 2022; Mann, 2005).…”

“…This could be explained by the fact that among the different categories of professionals, nurses are the ones who form the strongest bonds with patients, as a result of coming into contact with them more often (Chen et al, 2022). Furthermore, they are expected not only to take care of the patients, but to also be compassionate when doing so, and to manage their emotions in order to display a demeanor considered appropriate for the situation (Chen et al, 2022; Mann, 2005). This could lead to a severe reduction of the personal resources necessary to adopt the appropriate strategies to adapt in these types of situations, which as a result, could put nurses at a higher risk of STS (Chen et al, 2022).…”

Investigation of psychological factors related to compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction among nurses

“…Nurses’ long-term therapeutic relationships with patients and patients’ relatives not only cause them to be exposed to more stress but also risk compassion fatigue [ 3 ]. In the process of bonding with patients, nurses can perceive positive or negative emotions that eventually lead to compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue [ 11 ]. While an inadequate working environment can be a risk factor for professional compassion fatigue, the satisfaction of being able to serve in an inadequate working environment for another professional may also occur [ 12 ].…”

“…According to Yu and Gui (2022), while compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction directly affect mental health, burnout directly affects physical health [ 18 ]. Compasion satisfaction, which is a sense of satisfaction and achievement, and its negative state, compassion fatigue, are critical to nurses' well-being and therefore affect the quality of patient care [ 11 ]. Factors that can affect both compasion satisfaction and compassion fatigue and burnout (such as stress and coping methods) need to be well known.…”

Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Production on Compassion Fatigue

“…Thus, compassion fatigue encompasses an assortment of concepts at its core, all directly linked with the quality of life. Amongst health professionals, nurses have a relevant role in health care, for it is expected that they provide high-quality, person-centered care in an empathetic and compassionate way, bringing to realization the purpose of their care of increasing the quality of life, which, in turn, entails a need for a sufficient quality of life to perform their care [ 6 ].…”