Association between Compassion Fatigue and Work Performance among Japanese Nurses Working in a University Hospital

Abstract

Purpose: To clarify the actual conditions of compassion fatigue of nurses working in the general ward of a university hospital, and the association between compassion fatigue and work performance.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among 301 nurses in the general ward of a university hospital in Tokyo.

Results: For 192 subjects (response rate 63.8%), there was no significant association between compassion fatigue and work performance. Subgroup analysis, based on demographics and workplace characteristics, showed negative correlations between compassion fatigue and work performance. Results indicated that groups showing negative correlation consisted of participants aged 35–44 years of age, had more than 10 years of experience as a nurse, cared for patients and families with traumatic experiences, handled unreasonable complaints of patients and families, dealt with extremely upset patients and families, and cared for patients during sudden changes (p < .05).

Conclusions: Compassion fatigue is a complex phenomenon which continues and accumulates. In order to understand this condition, it is necessary to carefully analyze the situation based on individual characteristics of nurses such as age, years of experience, and conditions of care.