Compassion fatigue and satisfaction: A cross‐sectional survey among US healthcare workers

Abstract

Professional quality of life among healthcare providers can impact the quality and safety of patient care. The purpose of this research was to investigate compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue levels as measured by the Professional Quality of Life Scale self-report instrument in a community hospital in the United States. A cross-sectional survey study examined differences among 139 RNs, physicians, and nursing assistants. Relationships among individual and organizational variables were explored. Caregivers for critical patients scored significantly lower on the Professional Quality of Life subscale of burnout when compared with those working in a noncritical care unit. Linear regression results indicate that high sleep levels and employment in critical care areas are associated with less burnout. Identification of predictors can be used to design interventions that address modifiable risks.

Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Critical Care Nurses

“…The relationship between highest educational degree and ProQOL scores also implies some differences. Smart et al 12 suggested that increasing the number of nurses with a bachelor's degree in an institution increases the likelihood of improved patient outcomes and can decrease levels of compassion fatigue. In our study, nurses with a bachelor's degree reported lower compassion satisfaction scores than did nurses with associate's or master's degrees; no differences in secondary traumatic stress and burnout were related to educational preparation.…”

“…[9][10][11] Although the elements of compassion fatigue are related, secondary traumatic stress is an effect of experiences with specific types of patients, whereas burnout is an effect of environmental stressors and is not unique to health care providers. 12 According to the ProQOL model, a caregiver's level of burnout and secondary traumatic stress contribute to his or her experience of compassion fatigue. [9][10][11] Ideally, the balance between compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction should be achieved in the workplace and beyond, emphasizing the importance of a positive work-life balance.…”

Change your life through journaling--The benefits of journaling for registered nurses

“…[22] Compassion fatigue results from the consequence of caring for people who are suffering, rather than a direct response to the work environment. [23][24][25][35][36][37][38][39] Compassion fatigue develops as a result of the care provider's exposure to the patient's experiences combined with empathy for the patient. Burnout is a gradual wearing down of the caregiver, by one's feelings of being overwhelmed by one's work and feeling incapable of effecting positive change.…”

“…[16] The empathy that nurses provide to their patients is life giving personally and professionally. [16,[23][24][25] "Compassion satisfaction has been identified as a construct that measures these affirmative experiences".…”

So Much More Than a Job: A Psychoanalytic Exploration of Healthcare Work

“…Known to effect anywhere from 16% to 85% of the healthcare workforce (Slatten et al, 2011;Potter et al, 2013;Smart et al, 2014), compassion fatigue is defined as "an extreme state of tension and preoccupation with the suffering of those being helped to the degree that it can create a secondary traumatic stress for the helper" (Figley 2005;1995). Seen from a psychoanalytic vantage, however, compassion fatigue may be precipitated by an organization's culture, especially if that culture encourages the suppression of employees' needs.…”