Investigating the impact of employing dance and movement therapy method on the job satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue levels of nurses

ABSTRACT Objective: This study is carried out to investigate the impact of employing dance and movement therapy method on the compassion satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue levels of nurses. Method: This research is a pilot study employing the quasi-experimental method in which the first stage is descriptive and the second is of the pretest-posttest design. In the first stage, the data of 118 nurses, the sample group, was examined. In the second stage, the practice group was formed by using sampling method. Nurses with low compassion satisfaction, high burnout and compassion fatigue was invited to the practice. Within the scope of the second stage, the program, consisting of eight sessions, was carried out at the Hospital of Akdeniz University in April-May 2017. The data was collected using "Personal Information Form", "Employee's Quality of Life Scale", "Evaluation Form for the Application of Dance and Movement Therapy Methods" and "Memory Box". The program applied was conducted under supervision. This pilot study was concluded with 8 nurses. The data was analyzed in the SPSS 20.0 package software. Result: In the study, it has been found out that the compassion satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue levels of nurses were affected by age, having children, selecting their professions willingly and shift working. Furthermore, it has been determined that there is an inverse and strong relationship between compassion satisfaction and burnout (r = -0.618; p=0.000), and a positive and meaningful relationship between burnout and compassion fatigue levels (r =0.580, p=0.000). It was understood that the program carried out increased the compassion satisfaction level, and decreased the burnout and compassion fatigue levels of nurses, however, this conclusion could not be proved. Conclusion: In this study, it can be said that employing dance and movement therapy methods is efficient for the compassion satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue levels of nurses. It is recommended to employ this program in psychiatric nursing practices and in studies carried out to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue, and improve compassion satisfaction levels of nurses, and to carry out researches which has high levels of evidence relevant to the matter. Key Words: dance therapy, compassion fatigue, psychiatric nursing, burnout, quality of life.