Abstract
This study explored oncologists’ compassion fatigue in their practice with cancer patients and families. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted. A purposeful sample of nine oncologists was recruited from three hospitals in Korea. We used a hybrid of the theory-driven deductive approach and data-driven inductive approach based on the transactional model of physician compassion. Oncologists shared contexts from which their compassion fatigue stems based on four categories: physician factors, clinical factors, patient and family factors, and environmental and institutional factors. Given the nature of their job, oncologists should receive interventions that improve resilience and reduce compassion fatigue. We suggest interventions that promote appropriate levels of compassion and reduce interfering barriers.
Highlights
Advances in medical oncology have led to notable improvements in the 5-year survival rate for cancer in Korea, increasing from 41.2% in 1993 to 1995 to 70.6% in 2012 to 2016 (Korea Central Cancer Registry, National Cancer Center, 2018)
The survival rate has improved, approximately one third of Koreans are likely to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime (Korea Central Cancer Registry, National Cancer Center, 2018), and cancer is the leading cause of death in Korea (Statistics Korea, 2019)
Consistent with the model, we found that four factors related to oncologists’ compassion fatigue were aligned with the experiences of the participating oncologists in this study
Summary
Advances in medical oncology have led to notable improvements in the 5-year survival rate for cancer in Korea, increasing from 41.2% in 1993 to 1995 to 70.6% in 2012 to 2016 (Korea Central Cancer Registry, National Cancer Center, 2018). Oncologists face unique challenges in working with cancer patients and family members (Shanafelt & Dyrbye, 2012). Previous studies reported that oncologists experience a heavy workload (Grunfeld et al, 2005) and high levels of stress and burnout across the globe (Blanchard et al, 2010; Girgis et al, 2009; Grunfeld et al, 2000; Lyckholm, 2001; Whippen & Canellos, 1991). Multidisciplinary health care professionals in pediatric oncology (medical, nursing, and allied health staff members) reported both stress and reward related to patient care and interactions with children (Bowden et al, 2015).
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