This systematic review and meta-analysis examined compassion fatigue among palliative care nurses. The study included data from 3,515 nurses working in high- and middle-income countries. Researchers looked at compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress scores to measure overall fatigue levels. They also analyzed associated factors such as demographics, work conditions, and psychological traits.
The analysis showed that nurses in high-income countries reported significantly better outcomes compared to their counterparts in middle-income countries. Additionally, studies conducted after 2020 indicated an increase in secondary traumatic stress compared to earlier periods. Mean scores for compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress were moderate across the groups.
The review noted a limitation: no eligible studies from low-income countries were available for analysis. Because this is a meta-analysis of observational data, it shows links between factors and fatigue but does not prove that specific causes directly led to these results. The findings suggest that targeted support strategies are needed to safeguard nurse well-being and maintain care quality, especially in middle-income settings and following the 2020 period.