Development and Psychometric Assessment of Risk Factors of Compassion Fatigue Inventory in Nurses

Measuring Professional Quality of Life in Nurses: A Realist Review

Oncology nurses are at risk for compassion fatigue, which is often assessed using the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). Nursing researchers and leaders use the ProQOL to determine risk for compassion fatigue or effectiveness of interventions to reduce compassion fatigue. However, the ProQOL was designed for social workers, and research has shown it to be less suitable to assess the work of nurses. This article synthesizes a realist review of the literature about instruments measuring nurses' professional quality of life (QOL). The following three themes emerged: (a) a robust body of literature aimed at defining professional QOL, (b) a limited historical context of the ProQOL instrument, and (c) newer instruments. Findings suggest that the ProQOL-21 and the Risk Factors for Compassion Fatigue Inventory are more specific to nursing and better suited to measure nurses' perceived professional QOL.

The prevalence and influencing factors for compassion fatigue among nurses in Fangcang shelter hospitals: A cross-sectional study

AIM

We aim to investigate the prevalence and associated factors for compassion fatigue among nurses in Fangcang Shelter Hospitals in Wuhan. Studies have shown that compassion fatigue was more common among nurses than other health-care providers, and its predictors were also different. In recent years, most studies have investigated compassion fatigue in emergency and oncology nurses, whereas there is little information on compassion fatigue among nurses from the frontline of Fangcang Shelter Hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used in this study. An online survey was conducted among nurses (n = 972) of five Fangcang Shelter Hospitals in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, from 6 March to 10 March 2020. A self-administered questionnaire including demographic information, work-related information, General Health Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale and Compassion Fatigue Scale was used.

RESULTS

The prevalence of compassion fatigue among nurses in Fangcang Shelter Hospitals was moderate, and most cases were mild. There was a significant relationship between compassion fatigue and work-related factors, mental health and perceived stress among nurses working in Fangcang Shelter Hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

Various factors contribute to compassion fatigue, including lower job satisfaction and job adaptability, less praise from patients, more fear of infection and more perceived stress. A good working atmosphere, organizational support and psychological consultation are essential to alleviate nurses' compassion fatigue during the anti-epidemic period.

Emotional Intelligence and Perceived Health Related to Expressed Compassion Fatigue: A Study in Health Sector at Regional Level

Background: The work of health professionals often involves physical as well as psychological strain. They constantly deal with traumatic situations of pain and suffering, which destabilize the sense of well-being. Compassion fatigue is a feeling that appears in these cases and is related to other variables such as burnout or emotional drain.

Aims: The principal aim of this project was to deepen the analysis of compassion fatigue and how it could be explained through the relationship with other constructs such as emotional intelligence and perceived health.

Methods: This work followed the STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies. In this study 1,521 nurses (M_age = 47.32; SD = 8.44) participated. The responses reported by the nurses were analyzed by classifying them as high or low compassion fatigue and the differences of both groups were analyzed for the variables of emotional intelligence, perceived health and quality of professional life.

Results: It was obtained significant differences for all factors except for emotional intelligence factor. A linear regression analysis showed both emotional intelligence and perceived health helped to explain (12%) compassion fatigue.

Conclusion: This study provides light on comprehending the conception of compassion fatigue. It highlights the importance of intervention programs that improve the quality of professional life.