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. 2020 Sep-Dec;24(3):168-171.
doi: 10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_201_19. Epub 2020 Dec 14.

Self-Care, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue in Oncology Professionals

Diti Kohli  1 , P Padmakumari  2
Affiliations

Self-Care, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue in Oncology Professionals

Diti Kohli et al. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2020 Sep-Dec.

Abstract

Context: With the rising number of cancer cases in India, the stress levels of the treating team have increased. It has affected their self-care and made them susceptible to problems like burnout and compassion fatigue that adversely affect the quality of patient care.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess and compare the levels of burnout, compassion fatigue, and self-care in three groups of oncology professionals (clinical oncologists, nurses, and psychologists).

Settings and design: The study included 134 oncology professionals working in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.

Methods and material: Sociodemographic data sheet, Professional Quality of Life Scale V and Self-Care Assessment Worksheet were used.

Statistical analysis used: Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U test, and Correlation Analysis.

Results: The majority of the professionals reported moderate levels of burnout (60.4%) and compassion fatigue (56%). Oncology nurses reported an elevated risk as they scored significantly higher on these domains and had a lower degree of self-care. Interestingly, psychologists reported comparatively lower levels of burnout and compassion fatigue, despite the fact that they interact with the patients at a deeper level, looking after their psychological and emotional needs. Young age and a poor degree of self-care were identified as major risk factors.

Conclusions: The moderate levels of burnout and compassion fatigue, though not severe, are a cause of concern and cannot be overlooked. The study highlights the need for self-care in this regard and suggests that individual and institutional level interventions, particularly for nurses and young professionals, would prove useful.

Keywords: Burnout; compassion fatigue; self-care.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

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