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Published on: May 31, 2016
Compassion Fatigue Among Australian Oncology Nurses Caring for Adult Cancer Patients: Antecedents, Impact and
Janneka Banks1, Violeta Lopez1, Deependra Kaji Thapa1,2
1School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Sciences, CQ University, Sydney, Australia.
Aims:
To explore how Australian oncology nurses perceive and experience compassion fatigue when caring for adult cancer patients, how they mitigate compassion fatigue and identify potential interventions to address compassion fatigue.
Design:
A qualitative, descriptive study.
Methods:
Twenty Australian oncology nurses caring for adult cancer patients were interviewed between August and September 2023. Participants were recruited from a larger, quantitative study. Interviews were conducted virtually, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
Results:
Three themes and nine sub-themes were identified. Participants viewed heavy workloads, low staffing and organisational support as contributing factors to compassion fatigue. They described compassion fatigue as a feeling of having nothing left to give, impacting their ability to self-care, deliver quality patient care and maintain relationships. The pride participants felt in their cancer care work helped mitigate compassion fatigue. Self-care strategies, workplace mentoring and support were identified as ways to mitigate compassion fatigue.
Conclusion:
The work of oncology nurses can contribute to compassion fatigue, which may impact nurses and patient care. Organisations would benefit from supporting staff to engage in self-care activities, professional development and mentoring.
Implications For Professional:
Findings support a multi-tiered approach to addressing compassion fatigue among oncology nurses. Organisations can prioritise adequate staffing levels, mentoring opportunities, focused well-being interventions and provide avenues for meaningful recognition.
Reporting Method:
This study adheres to the COREQ reporting guidelines.
Patient Or Public Contribution:
No patient or public contribution.
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