Organizational compassion in health care settings: A mixed-methods systematic review of employee experiences and outcomes and contributing organizational traits

BACKGROUND: Organizational compassion (OC), the process in which members of an organization collectively notice, feel, and respond to distress within their organization, can buffer against the stressors experienced by health care professionals. A growing body of research has examined the experiences, outcomes, and contributing traits of organizational compassion in health care. PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to synthesize this literature in order to illuminate the processes and practices that foster compassionate organizations and enhance providers' well-being. METHODS: We followed the JBI guidelines for mixed-methods reviews, using a convergent segregated approach. Two independent reviewers completed screening, quality assessment, and extraction. Conflicts were resolved by discussion or by a third reviewer. Meta-aggregation was used to synthesize qualitative findings; quantitative results were synthesized narratively. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies (16 qualitative and eight quantitative) were included. Synthesized qualitative findings captured (1) the benefits and enablers of organizational compassion, and (2) the personal and shared journeys of organizational compassion through understanding, becoming, and embodying compassion. A variety of outcomes, predictors, and mediators of OC were identified from the quantitative studies. Notable points of convergence and divergence were found between qualitative findings and quantitative results. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A supportive work environment that nurtures sustainable leadership, procedural knowledge, workplace friendships, a culture of service, self-compassion, connections, and space can bring numerous benefits at both individual and organizational levels. Cultivating compassionate organizations is multifaceted and depends on individuals and the overall institutional context. When employees in health care settings experience compassion, it positively impacts their psychological and emotional well-being, enhancing their workplace behavior and performance.