title: Can Self-Compassion Promote Healthcare Provider Well-Being and Compassionate Care to Others? Results of a Systematic Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This meta-narrative review, conducted according to the RAMESES (Realist And Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards) standards, critically examines the construct of self-compassion to determine if it is an accurate target variable to mitigate work-related stress and promote compassionate caregiving in healthcare providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched. Studies were coded as referring to: (1) conceptualisation of self-compassion; (2) measures of self-compassion; (3) self-compassion and affect; and (4) self-compassion interventions. A narrative approach was used to evaluate self-compassion as a paradigm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-nine studies were included. The construct of self-compassion in healthcare has significant limitations. Self-compassion has been related to the definition of compassion, but includes limited facets of compassion and adds elements of uncompassionate behavior. Empirical studies use the Self-Compassion Scale, which is criticised for its psychometric and theoretical validity. Therapeutic interventions purported to cultivate self-compassion may have a broader effect on general affective states. An alleged outcome of self-compassion is compassionate care; however, we found no studies that included patient reports on this primary outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We critically examine and delineate self-compassion in healthcare providers as a composite of common facets of self-care, healthy self-attitude, and self-awareness rather than a construct in and of itself.
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kondejewski
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raffin-Bouchal
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: King-Shier
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Pavneet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D004645:Empathy; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: compassion; healthcare; meta-narrative; self-compassion