Evaluation of an education programme on compassion fatigue: Turkish oncology-haematology nurses' perspectives

Abstract

Background: Oncology-haematology nurses are at risk for the concept of compassion fatigue (CF). It is therefore important that training programs aimed to identifying and preventing CF carry out for oncology-haematology nurses. However, it is also known that it is difficult for nurses working in clinics to participate in the training programs. To research how nurses perceive such programs and the factors that facilitate and deter their participation will guide in developing effective programs to reduce CF. In this study; we aimed to obtain oncology-haematology nurses' views through the evaluation of the named 'Compassion Fatigue Resiliency Programme (CFRP)' training program. Methods: A qualitative design guided the study. The data were collected through focus group interviews with a semi-structured interview form. Three focus groups were undertaken with oncology-haematology nurses who had attended a CFRP at a University and a Private Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. The CFRP was implemented as a short-term (2-day) in a hospital and as a long-term(5 weeks, 2 hours per week) in other hospital. The focus group interview included 10 nurses from 34 nurses who participated to short-term, and 14 nurses from 49 nurses who attended to long-term training program fully/incompletely. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: In the study, four main themes and eleven sub-themes were determined. These were as follows: “Benefits of the training program” (Sub-themes: Awareness: Seeing that you are not alone; Use in practice), “Factors that facilitate participation” (Subthemes: The experience of being other, Support their personal and professional development; Educator and training methods), “Factors that deter participation” (Subthemes: Not being involved in training planning, Obligation, Training time and duration); “Suggestions for the training program” (Sub-themes: Content, Planning (time, duration), Training method. Conclusions: The programme has helped nurses to recognize the concept of CF, to put the name of lived problems, to see that people have similar problems. To facilitate participation is important that nurses believe that training program will benefit them and organizational support provide.