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. 2023 Dec 8;18(12):e0295020.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295020. eCollection 2023.

Rural health care worker wellness during COVID-19: Compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction & utilization of wellness resources

Bridget C Bailey  1   2 , Stephanie Cox  1 , Lisa Terris  1 , Dorothy van Oppen  1 , Janie Howsare  1 , James H Berry  1 , Erin L Winstanley  1   3
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Rural health care worker wellness during COVID-19: Compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction & utilization of wellness resources

Bridget C Bailey et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to identify factors associated with compassion fatigue (CF) and compassion satisfaction (CS) among rural health care workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary purpose was to assess utilization of wellness resources and preferences for new resources.

Methods: A survey was distributed (October-December 2020) and completed by faculty, clinicians and staff (n = 406) at a rural university. Measures included a modified version of the Professional Quality of Life Scale (PROQOL-21), the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 and the Brief Resilience Coping Scale. Respondents reported their use of wellness resources and their preferences for new resources.

Results: The mean CF score was 21.1, the mean CS score was 26.8 and 42.0% screened positive for depression or anxiety. Few of the existing wellness resources were utilized and respondents' preferences for new wellness resources included time off (70.7%), onsite food trucks (43.0%) and support animals (36.5%). Younger age, depression and anxiety were associated with higher CF. Older age, better mental health and resilience were associated with higher CS.

Conclusions: Rural HCWs have high CF, yet few utilize wellness resources. Rural health care organizations may foster wellness by providing time off for self-care, expanding mental health services and building resilience.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

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