The prevalence of compassion fatigue among midwives in German-speaking Switzerland: A quantitative cross-sectional study

Reports indicate that many midwives suffer from compassion fatigue (CF) as a result of exposure to heavy workloads, traumatic events, and other stressful situations. Background: Studies have shown that CF often drives midwives to leave the profession. It also negatively affects their ability to provide compassionate care. Aim: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of CF among midwives in German-speaking Switzerland and to examine the associations between demographic and work-related factors with CF. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2022, using the validated "Professional Quality of Life" (ProQOL) questionnaire to assess compassion fatigue. Relevant demographic and professional characteristics were added to the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, bivariable analyses and the generalised additive model (GAM) were applied. Findings: Of the 374 participating midwives, 31.8 % (n = 119) were affected by compassion fatigue. The GAM model indicated that frequent exposure to traumatic events had the strongest impact on compassion fatigue scores (estimate: 5.17). A smaller impact was observed for attending traumatic births occasionally (estimate: 4.16), followed by being rather/much dissatisfied with their job (estimate: 3.31) and experiencing psychological burden (estimate: 1.93). The weakest effect was found in midwives who were rather satisfied with their job (estimate: 1.49). Discussion: Factors associated with CF are multidimensional and multifactorial. Identifying potential solutions and preventive measures can be complex. Conclusion: Further research is essential to support midwives affected by compassion fatigue and to develop effective preventive measures.