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Original Research
Compassion fatigue among oncology staff at Universitas Academic Hospital Annex
Submitted: 26 August 2025 | Published: 09 September 2026
About the author(s)
Dirk C. Laas, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South AfricaAlicia Buchinger, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Anika Ferreira, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Gertha Wink, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Gideon D.J. Potgieter, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Laureka Wallace, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Megan van Biljon, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Sumé Delport, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Cornel van Rooyen, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Chantelle C. van der Bijl, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Compassion fatigue (CF) and burnout are prevalent in the field of oncology, particularly among nurses and oncologists. Compassion fatigue is the physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by continuous exposure to the suffering of others, while burnout describes the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to meet one’s work demands. Both negatively impact well-being. Contributing factors include trauma, job stress and a lack of support. Contrastingly, compassion satisfaction is the sense of fulfilment when one’s needs and expectations are met, helping mitigate negative effects.
Aim: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of CF, satisfaction and burnout among clinical oncology staff.
Setting: Universitas Academic Hospital Annex in the Free State province, South Africa.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected using the Compassion Satisfaction/Fatigue Self-Test for Helpers over 7 weeks. Participants included oncologists, nurses, radiographers and other clinical staff who responded willingly, anonymously and under implied consent.
Results: Ninety-four responses were included in the analysis. Most participants showed an extremely high risk of CF (97.2%), low potential for compassion satisfaction (81.3%) and extremely low risk for burnout (57.3%). Nurses and radiographers had the lowest potential for compassion satisfaction and were at the highest risk of CF.
Conclusion: Clinical oncology staff at Universitas Academic Hospital annex experienced high levels of CF, low potential for compassion satisfaction and comparatively low levels of burnout.
Contribution: This study has provided insight into the occurrence of CF, burnout and compassion satisfaction by clinical oncology staff, highlighting the need for intervention.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goal
Metrics
Total abstract views: 360Total article views: 316
