Background
Intensive care health professionals (HPs) are exposed to highly stressful and unpredictable work experiences that may undermine their psychological well-being . Traditionally, research focused on negative psychological outcomes but more recently, attention has turned to factors that enable HPs to maintain well-being in stressful work settings. Strengthening compassion satisfaction, resilience and passion for work, may improve professional quality of life and enhance psychological well-being for HPs.
Aims
This paper summarizes current literature exploring the prevalence, correlates, and interventions to enhance compassion satisfaction, resilience, and passion for work among ICU HPs.
Method
A mixed methods systematic review utilising PRISMA guidelines reports the comprehensive search in seven databases. Literature published between 2011 and 2021, written in English, and published in peer-reviewed journals was sought. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and data were analyzed using a convergent mixed methods design. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021252051).
Results
37 studies met eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Most represented moderate levels of compassion satisfaction among ICU HPs, while resilience levels varied. There were positive correlations between compassion satisfaction and resilience. However, relationships between compassion satisfaction or resilience and other correlates (personal factors, psychological factors, and work-related factors) showed inconsistently across included studies. Four interventions have been implemented to promote compassion satisfaction or resilience. No research focused on passion for work in ICU HPs.
Conclusion
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, compassion satisfaction, resilience, and work passion are crucial for ICU clinicians to maintain professional quality of life and psychological well-being. The level of compassion satisfaction among ICU HPs is moderate; with mixed findings regarding resilience. No research focused on passion for work targeting ICU HPs. Further research is needed to examine professional quality of life, psychological well-being, and targeted interventions to promote the well-being of ICU HPs.