International journal of palliative nursing
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Emerging evidence describes some of the heavy tolls that health professionals experience as they deal with the continual loss of patients. Each patient and family has particular needs (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual) and is deserving of expert end-of-life care, and it is this intensity of need that places nurses at risk of professional compassion fatigue (PCF). ⋯ There are clear physical and emotional health consequences for nurses who provide hospice and palliative care over extended periods of time. Further research is needed into the extent of the problem, specific causes, and coping strategies.