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Compassion fatigue and coping strategies among healthcare providers in Central Uganda: a facility-based cross-sectional study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between coping strategies and compassion fatigue among healthcare professionals in Central Uganda. DESIGN: A facility-based cross-sectional study conducted between June and July 2023. Three tools were used for data collection: a socio-demographic survey, the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL-5) and the Brief-Coping, Orientation to Problem Experienced tool. Participants were asked to recall experiences from the previous 30 days. SETTING: The study was conducted in five prominent hospitals in Central Uganda. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 548 healthcare providers, including 191 physicians, 256 nurses and 103 technicians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Compassion fatigue scores. RESULTS: Most participants were under 29 years old (50.9%) and women (62.0%). High levels of compassion fatigue were reported by 37.8% of participants. Active coping, self-distraction and denial were associated with higher compassion fatigue, while informational support, positive reframing and venting were linked to lower fatigue levels. Seeking social support effectively reduced compassion fatigue. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight significant compassion fatigue among healthcare providers in Central Uganda, impacting their well-being and patient care. Coping strategies like active problem-solving and social support are promising in mitigating compassion fatigue. Interventions should focus on reducing self-distraction, enhancing problem-solving skills and fostering supportive work environments to improve healthcare workers' well-being and patient care quality.

Source: BMJ Open

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-102203