Women healthcare workers, compassion fatigue, and the COVID-19 pandemic
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Date
0024-08-15
Authors
Dearborn, Regan
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Abstract
Abstract
This mixed-methods study focuses on women essential healthcare workers and their experiences of compassion fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic exacerbated compassion fatigue levels in healthcare, a field predominantly comprised of women. The study used quantitative (survey) and qualitative methods (interviews). For the survey, I received 44 viable responses. These questions sought feedback on each participant’s experience with compassion fatigue, alterations to the services that they offered, and experiences with ever-changing regulations and restrictions. They also highlighted the unique struggles that participants potentially faced as caregivers and how they were able to balance the ever-changing demands. Survey participants were invited to participate in a follow-up interview. The interview questions focused on individual impacts and experiences in their role and their personal life exploring experiences of moral injury, guilt, and shame. Participants also reported on what support they had, and recommendations they had for the government, their employer, their managers, and the public. Eight women across Ontario completed the interview, which began with the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). The six themes from the survey and interviews were, theme 1: The Impacts of the Pandemic on Participants’ Personal Lives including the Emotional and Mental Health Impacts of Compassion Fatigue, The Physical Impacts of Compassion Fatigue and The Impacts on Family, Theme 2: Participants Experiences with Moral Injury, Theme 3: Participant Feelings of Guilt and Shame, Theme 4: Supports Provided and Sought for their Well-Being, and Theme 5: Perceived Gaps and Limitations including The Experiences with the Federal and Provincial Government, Experiences with their Healthcare Employer and Experiences with the Public, and lastly, Theme 6: Recommendations for Improving Systems and Supports. The goal was to share information about women’s firsthand experiences with Compassion Fatigue. Although differences existed among participants, they shared the common perspective that the last few years were challenging personally and professionally. This study’s mixed methods design enabled this researcher to explore women healthcare workers’ direct firsthand experiences. This study contributes novel evidence that highlights women’s challenges and their recommendations for changes needed and future improvements in support provided to them by the healthcare system and workplaces.
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Keywords
Compassion Fatigue