Abstract

Background: Empathy is an essential therapeutic skill in mental health care, but the emotional strain of working with people who have experienced trauma has the potential to increase the risk of developing compassion fatigue. A systematic review investigated work-related factors in the development and mitigation of compassion fatigue in mental health professionals. Aim: The aim of this commentary was to critically appraise the methods used within this systematic review and expand upon the findings in the context of clinical practice. Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to critically appraise the review. Results: While many mental health professionals experience compassion satisfaction through their jobs, compassion fatigue is also common. There is a broad range of factors in the work environment that may influence compassion fatigue, including workload, co-worker and supervisor support, and relevant training. Conclusion and implications to practice: Shifting the focus from solely individual-level interventions to also intervening at the organisation level addressing upstream factors may be beneficial. However, further better-quality studies and longitudinal research are needed to confirm the importance and role of these factors.