Abstract
Introduction/Background
Compassion Fatigue (CF) occurs when healthcare professionals lose the desire to alleviate suffering. Frequent exposure to traumatic events, including encounters with death, grieving families, and extreme emotional distress, can lead to exhaustion, impaired concentration, burnout, loss of empathy, and dysfunctional coping behaviours. While CF is well-documented in healthcare professionals, its prevalence and contributing factors among medical students remain poorly understood. This study aims to provide cross-sectional data on CF prevalence among medical students and identify associated factors. The findings will inform future research and guide potential interventions to support student well-being.
Methods
650 medical students at an Australian university were invited to participate in an online survey. 135 participants provided demographic and ProQoL data on the CF components of Burnout (BO) and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS).
Results/Evaluation
The prevalence of low, moderate and high risk of BO were 17%, 83% and 0.0% respectively. The prevalence of low, average and high risk of STS were 55.6%, 44.4% and 0.0%. 75% of participants had moderate levels of BO in first year and levels increased over the five-year degree to 92.9% of moderate BO levels in 5th year. Moderate STS levels in second year were 29% and rose in third year, the first year of hospital attachments, to 50%. 51.1% of female participants and 26.1% of male participants reported moderate levels of STS.
Discussion
We know that medical student’s BO levels are of concern, yet less is known about the impact of trauma experiences on medical students. Our data concurs with recent studies that indicate that medical students entering their first clinical year (1) and female students are at greater risk of CF (2). This study’s results, highlight the need for further investigation and development of interventions to support students entering clinical training, and further research to better understand the experience of CF, particularly in female students.
Compassion Fatigue (CF) occurs when healthcare professionals lose the desire to alleviate suffering. Frequent exposure to traumatic events, including encounters with death, grieving families, and extreme emotional distress, can lead to exhaustion, impaired concentration, burnout, loss of empathy, and dysfunctional coping behaviours. While CF is well-documented in healthcare professionals, its prevalence and contributing factors among medical students remain poorly understood. This study aims to provide cross-sectional data on CF prevalence among medical students and identify associated factors. The findings will inform future research and guide potential interventions to support student well-being.
Methods
650 medical students at an Australian university were invited to participate in an online survey. 135 participants provided demographic and ProQoL data on the CF components of Burnout (BO) and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS).
Results/Evaluation
The prevalence of low, moderate and high risk of BO were 17%, 83% and 0.0% respectively. The prevalence of low, average and high risk of STS were 55.6%, 44.4% and 0.0%. 75% of participants had moderate levels of BO in first year and levels increased over the five-year degree to 92.9% of moderate BO levels in 5th year. Moderate STS levels in second year were 29% and rose in third year, the first year of hospital attachments, to 50%. 51.1% of female participants and 26.1% of male participants reported moderate levels of STS.
Discussion
We know that medical student’s BO levels are of concern, yet less is known about the impact of trauma experiences on medical students. Our data concurs with recent studies that indicate that medical students entering their first clinical year (1) and female students are at greater risk of CF (2). This study’s results, highlight the need for further investigation and development of interventions to support students entering clinical training, and further research to better understand the experience of CF, particularly in female students.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators Conference (ANZAHPE 2025): Horizons: Embracing the Future: Abstract Book, 30 June - 3 July, 2025, Perth, Western Australia |
| Place of Publication | Adelaide, S.A. |
| Publisher | Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780648828556 |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
| Event | Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators. Conference - Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth, Australia Duration: 30 Jun 2025 → 3 Jul 2025 |
Conference
| Conference | Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators. Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ANZAHPE |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Perth |
| Period | 30/06/25 → 3/07/25 |