Promotion of professional quality of life through reducing fears of compassion and compassion fatigue: Application of the Compassionate Mind Model to Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (Health Visiting) training

Abstract

Aims and Objectives To identify whether a Compassionate Mind Model‐based curriculum reduces students’ perceived fears of compassion and improves their professional well‐being. Background Enabling compassion is mandatory within nurse education but evidencing it is challenging. Research suggests that application of the Compassionate Mind Model might reduce students’ fears of compassion and also decrease compassion fatigue. This study reports outcomes of a post‐registration curriculum based on that model for training Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (Health Visiting). Design A quantitative, prospective evaluation of a 12‐month training course for Health Visiting students. Reporting was guided by the STROBE checklist for observational studies. Methods Fears of compassion scales were applied at course start (time 1), mid‐point (time 2; +6 months) and end (time 3; +12 months) to evaluate fears of compassion of 26 post‐registration student Health Visitors (81% of course cohort) who provided data at all three points. The Professional Quality of Life tool was administered simultaneously to evaluate compassion satisfaction and burnout/secondary traumatic stress (compassion fatigue). Results Between time 1 and time 3, mean fears of compassion scores decreased by 16.6‐48.5% (repeated measures analysis of variance); mid‐point scores were intermediary. At time 3, compassion satisfaction had increased slightly (+4.1%), negatively correlated with fears of compassion for self (r = −0.602; p = .001; n = 26) and fears of receiving compassion from others (r = −0.568; p = .002; n = 26). Burnout score decreased by 18.7%, correlated positively with fear of compassion for self (r = 0.493; p = .011; n = 26) and fear of receiving compassion from others (r = 0.615; p = .001; n = 26). Secondary traumatic stress score decreased by 16.5% but was not correlated with any fear of compassion. Conclusion Findings suggest that application of the Compassionate Mind Model might reduce practitioners’ fears of compassion linked to a decrease in risk of compassion fatigue. Relevance to clinical practice The Compassionate Mind Model could provide an effective vehicle to promote compassion and nurse well‐being.

Empathy, sympathy, and altruism—An evident triad based on compassion. A theoretical model for caring

“…56 In nursing, various projects with mindfulness and compassion training have been published e.g. 40,50,[57][58][59][60][61][62][63] Walker and Mann especially argue for mindfulness and contemplation related to compassion in nursing education. In the health care culture, they highlight how aspects of reflection and contemplation are needed to maintain balance and health in stressful clinical contexts.…”

“…An intervention study 2021, on nursing students found that application of the compassionate mind model reduced their fear of compassion and decreased their risk of compassion fatigue. 40 Additionally, the incidence of burnout and compassion fatigue in nurses was shown in a meta-synthesis to have an opposite relationship to education. The higher the education, the less compassion fatigue, and the more compassion-satisfaction.…”

“…Since 2010, several innovative scientific initiatives have been underway internationally with the goal of increasing compassion and pro‐social behaviour in people through exercises and training programmes that include mindfulness and meditation 56 . In nursing, various projects with mindfulness and compassion training have been published e.g 40, 50, 57–63 . Walker and Mann especially argue for mindfulness and contemplation related to compassion in nursing education.…”

Feasibility and preliminary evaluation of internet-based compassion and cognitive–behavioral stress-management courses for health care professionals: A randomized controlled pilot trial

“…CMT has been found to increase HCP's abilities to support themselves (self-compassion), lessen their self-criticism, and help them tolerate distressing emotions ( Beaumont et al, 2016 ). McVicar et al (2021) and McEwan et al (2020) found that burnout scores decrease after CMT, whereas compassion satisfaction related to work and levels of well-being increase. A number of internet-based CMT interventions have shown promising results regarding increasing self-compassion and reducing depression, anxiety ( Kelman et al, 2018 ; Krieger et al, 2019 ), and stress ( Finlay-Jones et al, 2017 ).…”

The Impact of Work Environment on Nurses’ Compassion: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

“…Although compassionate care is the cornerstone of the nursing profession and high quality health care, working in environments that are constantly dealing with the suffering and even death of patients may affect nurses’ compassionate behavior (McVicar et al, 2021). In some contexts, nurses may separate themselves from patients and try to deliver routine care rather than compassionate care that is active, committed, and empathetic (Blewitt et al, 2015).…”