Prevalence and Precursors of Compassion Fatigue among Healthcare Professionals at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

The medical field is among the most demanding work fields, with healthcare providers being frequently exposed to traumatic injuries, heavy workloads, and intense emotional pressures. These conditions increase the risk of developing compassion fatigue, a syndrome of physical, emotional, and psychological exhaustion resulting from sustained exposure to patients’ trauma and suffering. Although compassion fatigue has gained recognition globally, limited literature exists in Africa, particularly in Zambia. This study investigated the precursors and prevalence of compassion fatigue among healthcare providers at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative design, was employed, using an online questionnaire completed by 232 healthcare professionals across 6 hospital departments. Findings showed that 59.05% of the respondents identified excessive workload as primary precursor of compassion fatigue while 11.21% cited constant exhaustion. Exposure to wounds and patients suffering was noted among 8.19% of respondents respectively. Compassion fatigue prevalence was assessed using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale, focusing on burnout as a key indicator. Results showed that 45.26% of the respondents experienced average burnout, 31.03% low burnout, and 23.71% high burnout. Coping mechanisms included adequate rest (70.60%), shared workload, recreational activities, family support and spiritual practices. These findings highlight the urgent need for institutional strategies to mitigate compassion fatigue and promote healthcare professional well-being.