Compassion in Balance: A Cross-Sectional Study on Satisfaction and Fatigue Among Clinical Nurses at HMC

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Occupational Health Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Nursing is an emotionally demanding profession requiring a balance between compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue.
• Compassion fatigue can significantly impact nurse well-being and patient care quality.
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for supporting healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue levels in clinical nurses at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
• To explore associations between demographic characteristics and these outcomes.
• To inform evidence-based strategies for enhancing nurse well-being.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 219 clinical nurses at HMC, Doha, Qatar.
• Data collected via demographic survey and the Professional Quality of Life Scale 5 (ProQOL 5).
• Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation.

Main Results:

• The majority of nurses reported average levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress.
• Significant associations were found between compassion satisfaction and nationality/job designation.
• A moderate positive correlation (r=0.5249, p<0.001) existed between burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

Conclusions:

• Most nurses experience average levels of compassion satisfaction and burnout, influenced by demographic and professional factors.
• The positive correlation between burnout and secondary traumatic stress underscores the need for targeted interventions.
• Professional quality of life assessments are vital for developing strategies to support nurse well-being and patient care.