Emotional impact and compassion fatigue in oncology nurses: Results of a multicentre study

Purpose To assess the prevalence of Compassion Satisfaction, Compassion Fatigue (Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress) and anxiety in oncology nurses and the association with demographics, training, work-related conditions, and psychological factors. Method A multicentre, cross-sectional study in...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Arimón Pagès, Esther, Torres Puig-gros, Joan, Fernández Ortega, Paz, Canela Soler, Jaume
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universitat de Lleida (UdL)
Repositorio:Repositori Obert UdL
OAI Identifier:oai:repositori.udl.cat:10459.1/72808
Acceso en línea:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2019.09.007
http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/72808
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Oncology nurses
Compassion Fatigue
Burnout
Secondary Traumatic Stress
Anxiety
Intention to leave
Nurses' vulnerability
Descripción
Sumario:Purpose To assess the prevalence of Compassion Satisfaction, Compassion Fatigue (Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress) and anxiety in oncology nurses and the association with demographics, training, work-related conditions, and psychological factors. Method A multicentre, cross-sectional study in 8 selected hospitals in Catalonia (Spain) involving oncology nurses. Primary outcomes were Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue (Burnout/Secondary Traumatic Stress), evaluated with the Professional Quality of Life questionnaire v.IV, and anxiety, evaluated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results Of 297 participants, 18.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]:16.1–20.3) presented low Compassion Satisfaction; 20.2% (95% CI:18.0–22.4), high burnout; and 37.4% (95% CI:34.8–40.0), high Secondary Traumatic Stress. Trait and State Anxiety were high in 5.4% (95% CI:4.2–6.6) and 8.1% (95% CI:6.6–9.6) of participants, respectively. Nurses’ desire to leave the unit was associated with high burnout (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] 3.7, 95% CI:1.9–7.5) and Secondary Traumatic Stress (ORa 3.2, 95% CI:1.9–5.3), while the desire to leave the profession was related to high State Anxiety (ORa 12.5, 95% CI:4.6–33.7). Most participants (96.9%) were interested in receiving emotional management training. Conclusions Continuous demands on oncology nurses’ empathy can lead them to experience compassion fatigue, anxiety and a desire to leave the profession. The first study carried out with Spanish oncology nurses shows Compassion Fatigue is highly prevalent. This is related to nurses’ desire to change units, leave their profession and has negative implications on staff satisfaction and quality of care. This problem justifies institutions support strategies for these professionals.