Can Organizational Leaders Sustain Compassionate, Patient-Centered Care and Mitigate Burnout?

Telephone survey of US physicians and nurses in 2010 and 2017 (n=~500) and compare scores on compassionate care scale (Schwartz 12 items) and validated burnout items. Compassion-related behaviors of nurses and physicians were correlated significantly and inversely with their responses to the questions related to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and with lack of perceived organizational support. The less support they perceive, the more burnout healthcare professionals experience and the less capacity they have to offer compassion to patients and families. Physicians and nurses want more time and support to provide such care.