Experiencias de Fatiga por Compasión en Profesionales de Salud Oncológica de Lima Metropolitana

Objective: To analyze experiences related to compassion fatigue (CF) among oncology healthcare professionals in Metropolitan Lima. Method: A qualitative study was conducted using ten semi-structured interviews with physicians, nurses, and psychologists working in oncology care. Interviews were transcribed and examined through predominantly inductive thematic analysis, theoretically informed by Stamm’s professional quality of life model. Results: Four themes were identified: contextual conditions of the care environment, manifestations associated with CF, coping and self-regulation resources, and experiences that sustain professional engagement. Participants described organizational constraints, physical and emotional exhaustion, feelings of helplessness, and memories of patients that persisted beyond the clinical setting. They also identified self-care, regulation of emotional involvement, support from colleagues, and the meaning attributed to their work as resources for coping with the demands of caregiving. Conclusions: Participants’ accounts reveal experiences of strain within oncology care that coexist with coping resources and positive caregiving experiences. The findings suggest the value of promoting professional well-being through individual and organizational measures. The study design does not allow the presence or severity of CF to be established, the effectiveness of the identified resources to be demonstrated, or professional experience to be shown to reduce strain.