Sestrinski glasnik, Vol. 27 No. 3, 2022.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.11608/sgnj.27.3.1
Empathy of nurses
Ana Bitunjac
; Zavod za hitnu medicinu Zadarske županije, Ulica I, br. 13, 23 452 Karin Gornji, 23 000 Zadar, Hrvatska
Karolina Vižintin
; Opća bolnica Karlovac, Andrije Štampara 3, 47 000 Karlovac, Hrvatska
Željka Cindrić
; Ustanova za zdravstvenu njegu i rehabilitaciju Cindrić, Augusta Šenoe 12, 47 300 Ogulin, Hrvatska
Abstract
Aim: Aim of this paper is to examine the empathy of nurses and technicians. Patients and their families expect compassion, empathy, and mutual respect from nurses. In order to better acquire empathic skills of communication with patients in the nursing profession, it is necessary to conduct continuous education from the beginning of their education and continue through lifelong learning.
Participants and methods: Data were collected through a general questionnaire on demographic characteristics and a student version of the Jefferson Empathy Scale developed specifically to study the empathy of health professionals and students in the context of patient care. The research included 252 nurses and technicians. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed with the MedCalc software system.
Results: The research found a high level of empathy, the median Jefferson empathy scale was 121 (IQR 111-128), which is above average compared to previous research. Here is a significantly higher level of empathy in nurses than in medical technicians and significantly lower in the youngest respondents. The association of education with the level of empathy was not observed.
Conclusion: The results of the research indicate a high level of empathy among nurses and technicians, but there is still enough room for improvement. Higher levels of empathy were expected in bachelor's of nursing. It was assumed that professional experience as well as education would contribute to a higher level of empathy. It can be concluded that it would be desirable to include more hours in the education of nurses and technicians in teaching about the benefits of empathy and practicing the skill of expressing empathy.
Keywords
empathy; empathy process; nurse
Hrčak ID:
286958
URI
Publication date:
12.12.2022.
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