The relationship between self-compassion and burnout in healthcare professionals: A narrative review

Abstract

Various difficulties and stressors, such as time limitations, lack of support, exposure to trauma, heavy workload, morbidity, and mortality, characterize the workplace of healthcare professionals. According to recent psychological studies, compassion at work is a crucial internal factor that protects employees' well-being and is negatively correlated with burnout. The current research is a narrative review. Articles in line with the research goal and written in English were included in the study. Search without a time limit and until September 10, 2023, using the keywords “self-compassion”, “professional burnout”, “healthcare provider”, and “nurses” in international databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science and also Google Scholar search engine were performed. In the initial search, 6,499 studies were obtained, which were reduced to 91 studies by screening based on the title and abstract of the articles in the first step and by screening the articles based on the full text of the articles in the next step, 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Different medical fields and areas of expertise show variations in the ability to cultivate self-compassion and the effectiveness of its techniques. Self-compassion levels substantially influence burnout more than social or demographic factors among these individuals. Self-compassion helps manage exhaustion by maintaining balance, showing kindness, observing without being overwhelmed and preventing burnout. Alterations in the workplace can play a role in organizations' efforts to reduce or prevent burnout. Self-compassion and burnout are negatively correlated in healthcare professionals. Improving healthcare professionals' capacity and reducing occupational burnout can be achieved by providing conditions to promote self-compassion. Ultimately, their extended efficiency brings about the health system's goals more perfectly and comprehensively.