The efficacy of compassion training programmes for healthcare professionals: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Andrea Alcaraz-Córdoba, M. D. Ruíz-Fernández, Olivia Ibáñez-Masero, M. I. Miranda, E. B. García-Navarro, Á. Ortega-Galán
Current Psychology January 25, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-024-05618-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Health professionals |
| Interventions | Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) Mindfulness and Self-Compassion (MSC) Compassionate Meditation (CM) Loving Kindness Meditation (LKM) |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based compassion and self-compassion training programs decreased compassion fatigue and increased compassion, self-compassion, and compassion satisfaction among health professionals. The authors argue that compassion fatigue reflects a deficit in empathic and compassionate skills and recommend that health systems adopt such programs to improve working conditions and quality of life. |
Abstract
Continuous exposure to the suffering and death of patients produces certain syndromes such as compassion fatigue in health professionals. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect and the effectiveness of interventions based on mindfulness, aimed at training or cultivating compassion or self-compassion in compassion fatigue, self-compassion, compassion, and compassion satisfaction of health professionals. A systematic review is reported in line with the PRISMA guideline and was registered in PROSPERO. The PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases were used. Interventions based on compassion training or cultivation were selected, aimed at health professionals. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. The effect size and hetereogeneity of the studies were calculated. Eight articles were selected. Among the programmes for the cultivation of compassion we highlight Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT), Mindfulness and Self-Compassion (MSC), Compassionate Meditation (CM), and Loving Kindness Meditation (LKM). The interventions decreased compassion fatigue and increased compassion, self-compassion, and compassion satisfaction in healthcare professionals. Compassion fatigue in healthcare professionals is due to a deficit in empathic and compassionate skills. Health systems should incorporate programmes based on the cultivation of compassion and self-compassion in order to improve the work conditions and quality of life of health professionals.