Flourishing, religion, and burnout among caregivers working in pediatric palliative care

Abstract

Introduction Providers working with children who are dying are especially prone to burnout. Encouraging models of human flourishing may mitigate burnout and improve quality of care. However, models of job satisfaction and human flourishing have not been well-described. This project explores factors that promote human flourishing among caregivers working with children in pediatric palliative care in South Africa. Methods A convenience sample of caregivers working in pediatric palliative care were invited to complete an anonymous, confidential survey comprised of validated instruments. The survey also included open-ended questions to explore opinions and attitudes about satisfaction, struggles, and coping. Results Twenty-nine people from a variety of occupations and work environments completed the survey. The prevalence of burnout was 3/29 (10%). Life satisfaction was associated with private religious activities ( P = .38, P < .05), and carrying religion into all aspects of life ( P = .44, P < .05). Burnout was not associated with life satisfaction. Qualitative analysis of the open-ended questions revealed the following themes as factors contributing to their joy in work: being able to make a difference, finding meaning and purpose, having a relationship with the children and their families, and with the multi-disciplinary team. The greatest challenges in their work were identified as the lack of resources, challenges within their team, and emotional demands. Conclusions Despite job stress and working with terminally ill children, several factors were associated with flourishing. These findings are particularly relevant to enhance caregiving in the resource-challenged setting of pediatric palliative care in South Africa.

Stress Factors for the Paediatric and Adult Palliative Care Multidisciplinary Team and Workplace Wellbeing Solutions

“…The finding that a high workload (57.1%) was considered one of the main causes of stress highlights the high pressures and demands associated with working in paediatric palliative care in Romania [52,53], where professionals are often faced with multiple and complex tasks, tight deadlines, and a high volume of responsibilities. Physical exhaustion has been associated with a dynamic and prolonged duration of care [4,23,32,33].…”

“…The lack of resources, clinical workload, and time constraints are important issues in other studies: the lack of time spent with the child and family, the shortage of human resources, and late diagnosis were cited as reasons. Insufficient time for self-care and development has also been reported [32]. The difficulty in managing their emotions, the inability to perform their tasks within the expected time frames due to multitasking, the stress of being involved in communicating the diagnosis, and the feeling of helplessness as the child's health deteriorates are challenges for nurses working in paediatric palliative care [33].…”