Original Research

An intervention to manage compassion fatigue in oncology nurses in Durban, South Africa

Dorien L. Wentzel, Anthony Collins, Petra Brysiewicz
Health SA Gesondheid | Vol 28 | a2376 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v28i0.2376 | © 2023 Dorien Wentzel, Anthony Collins, Petra Brysiewicz | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 02 March 2023 | Published: 27 December 2023

About the author(s)

Dorien L. Wentzel, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Anthony Collins, Department of Social Inquiry, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; and Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
Petra Brysiewicz, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Oncology nurses are involved through the often protracted and potentially traumatic continuum of diagnosis and treatment of their patients, which places them at high risk of developing compassion fatigue.

Aim: The aim of the study was to develop and implement an in-facility intervention to manage compassion fatigue among oncology nurses in Durban, South Africa.

Setting: The study was conducted with oncology nurses at state, private (private health insurance) and non-governmental oncology facilities (Hospice).

Methods: The Self-Care Intervention for Oncology Nurses was developed and implemented using action research with a mixed methods sequential explanatory design. It involved an integrative review, Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) v 5 questionnaires (n = 83) and in-depth individual interviews (n = 8).

Results: Developed from the findings of the integrative review, quantitative and qualitative data, the Self-Care Intervention for Oncology Nurses comprised three components, namely psycho-education on risks (booklet), practices of remembrance (remembrance tree) and support structures (support group and follow-up family call). Overall, the participants enjoyed reading the booklet and engaging in the support group. There were varied responses to the remembrance tree and hesitancy to partaking in the follow-up phone call.

Conclusion: The developed intervention could encourage awareness of compassion fatigue amongst oncology nurses’ engagement in self-care practices such as symbolic remembrance of patients and recognition of the value of support structures.

Contribution: The intervention may assist oncology nurses in the provision of compassionate caring for their patients and potentially minimise compassion fatigue.


Keywords

compassion fatigue; compassion satisfaction; oncology nurses; self-care; intervention

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Metrics

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Crossref Citations

1. Fatiga por compasión en profesionales de oncología médica y radioterapia oncológica
Melinda González Concepción, Eva Rodríguez Bruzos, Milagros Bárez Villoria, Cristina Bierge Casas, Eva Tobajas Torrubiano, Elia Tomás Porcar, Tomás Blasco Blasco
Psicooncología  vol: 21  issue: 2  year: 2024  
doi: 10.5209/psic.98173