CN51 - A scoping review of interventions to enhance cancer nurses' psychological well-being, occupational health and resilience

Background

Nurses play a critical role in healthcare. Professional demands often result in high-stress levels for nurses. Compassion fatigue is high in cancer nursing due to the complex care of oncology patients and is one of the contributing factors of burnout. This scoping review aimed to analyse existing literature on interventions and strategies that promote resilience, prevent burnout, provide education and psychological well-being for nurses involved in cancer care.

Methods

The review is reported according to PRISMA statement.Seven electronic databases were searched:PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The JBI checklist was used to assess the studies’ methodological quality. Databases were searched from January 2018 to March 2024, including only articles in English and using the following MeSH terms: cancer nursing, psychological resilience, self-care, emotional management, burnout, fatigue, and occupational health. Covidence was used for title, abstract, and full-text screening. Data was extracted by categories;year of publication, country, population, methodology, interventions and impacts.

Results

34 studies met the review criteria and were analysed. Most studies were qualitative desing and focused on burnout, self-care, compassion fatigue and occupational health. Variety of interventions, including mindfulness-based programs, self-reflective practices, group support, and educational networks to promote nurses' psychological well-being, resilience, and occupational health. In addition, peer support groups, resilience training workshops, and mentoring programs were combined.

Conclusions

Promoting and implementing a variety of resilience, self-care, stress management interventions and educational programs is imperative for maintaining a healthy and resilient cancer nursing workforce. Organizations should create a supportive work environment that fosters individuals, prioritizing well-being, reduces sources of psychological burden on staff, work on relationships, address staff shortages, reward for productivity with aim to increase job satisfaction and retention but also contribute to the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Cancer Nursing Fund.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.