Compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction in pediatric palliative care (PC) providers in the U.S.

Purpose: Compassion fatigue (CF) is emotional distress experienced by providers from ongoing contact with patients’ suffering. Burnout (BO) is personal distress due to uncontrollable workplace factors that manifest in career dissatisfaction. CF and BO can each lead to emotional exhaustion, depression, frustration, depersonalization, and sense of loss in one’s achievements; in healthcare providers, this can adversely affect patient care. Compassion satisfaction (CS) is professional fulfillment derived from caring for others. Pediatric palliative care (PC) providers are continuously exposed to clinical experiences that are physically and emotionally demanding and draining. Therefore, we aimed to determine the …