Compassion training for healthcare professionals in oncology: A mixed-methods pilot study

Abstract

Purpose

Care and treatment within oncology is characterized by significant emotional demands from healthcare professionals resulting in burnout and distress. We examined the effect of compassion training on healthcare professionals using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design.

Methods

Oncology healthcare professionals underwent four weeks compassion training program. Participants completed the Self-Compassion and Professional Quality of Life Health questionnaires at baseline and post-training. Two focus group interviews were conducted using interpretive description methodology.

Results

A total of 22 healthcare professionals participated. Four weeks of compassion training resulted in significantly improved overall Self-Compassion score (3.8 vs 4.0; P = 0.019), Self-Kindness (3.7 vs 4.0; P = 0.028), Self-Judgement (3.7 vs 4.0; P = 0.05), and Common-Humanity (3.9 vs 4.1; P = 0.013). Participants who did not complete the training (N = 9) versus those who completed (N = 13) had statistically significantly lower overall Self-Compassion scores (3.0 vs. 3.8; P = 0.004) and lower Self-Kindness (2.8 vs. 3.7; P = 0.04), Self-Judgement (2.9 vs. 3.7; P = 0.036), Common-Humanity (3.0 vs. 3.9; P = 0.036), Isolation (2.9 vs. 4.1; P = 0.001), and Over-Identification (2.9 vs. 3.4; P = 0.030). They also scored lower in Professional Quality of Life Health measures, including Compassion-Satisfaction (22.7 vs. 26.9; P = 0.011) and Perceived-Support (19.6 vs. 24.8; P = 0.007), while scoring higher for Burnout (19.2 vs. 12.7; P = 0.001), Secondary-Traumatic-Stress (14.0 vs. 10.6; P = 0.036), and Compassion-Fatigue (15.4 vs. 11.6; P = 0.001). The focus group interviews revealed four themes: Impact of Leader Approval, Project Manager, Work-Related Stress, and Calm Mind.

Conclusion

Four weeks of compassion training significantly improved self-compassion. Healthcare professionals who did not complete the training had lower levels of self-compassion and professional quality of life.