Abstract

SILVA JUNIOR, Rene et al. Feelings experienced by professionals with compassion fatigue in oncology care. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2022, vol.23, n.3, pp.683-694.  Epub Dec 31, 2022. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/22psd230308.

This study sought to understand the feelings experienced by health professionals affected by the phenomenon fatigue due to compassion in the care of cancer patients in reference hospitals located in the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A descriptive qualitative research was conducted with phenomenological approach to Husserlian analysis. The intentional sample was identified by a previous survey of the variable compassion fatigue in health professionals in the cancer sectors by applying the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL5) instrument. Twenty professionals were identified with the phenomenon who were then interviewed with an unstructured script to investigate the object of this study. Next, the contents of the statements were analyzed. The results were presented and discussed from the following categories: Pain, Anguish and Compassion; Attachment and Empathy; Suffering and Defense Mechanisms; Affective Ambivalence and Satisfaction and Resignification. There are several feelings mobilized in professionals in their actions of care for cancer patients. Feelings not only express negative points as determinants of the experience of dealing and caring, there are also positive feelings capable of producing satisfaction and resignification of professionals.

Keywords : Feelings; Compassion Fatigue; Work; Hospital; Oncology.

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