Engaging with distress: training in the compassionate approach

Abstract

Compassionate care involves providing a welcoming environment, promoting bidirectional compassion, providing training in compassion and creating supportive organisations. To date there has not been a study evaluating Compassion interventions for the high‐threat profession of mental health nursing. Neither has there been a study providing an in‐depth qualitative evaluation of training and implementation. The current study aims to address these gaps in the literature. The aims were to evaluate Compassionate Mind Training‐CMT for mental health nurses and to assess implementation. Focus groups were conducted (N=28) one year later to evaluate CMT and implementation. Results: Content analysis revealed four training themes: i) Useful framework; ii) Thought‐provoking and exciting; iii) Appreciation of person‐centred approach; iv) Need for ongoing training and supervision. Three implementation themes emerged: i) Applied approach with patients and staff themselves; ii) Environmental challenges to implementation; iii) Attitudinal challenges to implementation. Consistent with previous studies, professionals experienced reduced self‐criticism and an increased self‐compassion, which extended to increased compassion and reduced criticism of colleagues and patients; and professionals applying training directly to reduce patient self‐criticism. For successful implementation formal adoption of Compassion‐approaches are needed with strategic integration at all levels.