Understanding Compassion Fatigue and Its Contributing Factors Among Nurses: A Focus Group Discussion Approach”

Background: Empathetic and caring nurses, become the victims of the continuing stress of the overwhelming needs of the patients & their families, resulting in compassion fatigue. The aim of the study is to explore the factors leading to compassion fatigue among nurses at various levels in the selected private & government hospitals of Punjab, India. Materials and Methods: Qualitative approach was adopted where multiple focus group discussions were planned and conducted. The study was carried out among nurses from the selected private & government hospitals of Punjab. Thematic analysis, using the argumentative interactions approach was used. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guide were followed. Results:  Workload, less salary, less resources, stress, partiality, salary issues, long working hours and other related factors were reported as having a negative influence on staff nurses working efficiency. Conclusion: Most of the institutions included in the present study, lacked basic facilities for the professional development and smooth running of work of staff nurses.