Developing empathy in nurses: an inservice training program

Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2006 Dec;20(6):249-57. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2006.05.002.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether inservice communication training enhanced the empathic skills of 263 nurses employed at Hacettepe University Hospital. Data were collected using a nurse information form, participants' satisfaction form, and the Empathic Communication Skill B (ECS-B) form developed by Dökmen [Dökmen, U. (1988). A new measurement model of the empathy and developing empathy by using psychodrama. Journal of Education Faculty of Ankara University, 21, 155-190]. The ECS-B was used as both a preintervention and a postintervention measure. The data were expressed as means, percentages, and standard deviations, and were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test and repeated-measures analysis of variance. The posttest scores of nurses increased from 155.6 to 180.5, and training played a role in enhancing nurses' empathic skills with regard to all variables (P < .05). However, a more comprehensive and continuous training should be planned, and its impact on behavior and patient outcomes should be investigated.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Clinical Competence / standards
  • Curriculum
  • Education, Nursing, Continuing / organization & administration*
  • Empathy*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training / organization & administration*
  • Models, Educational
  • Models, Psychological
  • Nurse-Patient Relations
  • Nursing Education Research
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / education*
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology
  • Program Development
  • Program Evaluation
  • Psychiatric Nursing / education
  • Psychodrama
  • Self-Assessment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Teaching / organization & administration