Exploring oncology nurses' perception of the consequences of clinical empathy in patients and nurses: a qualitative study

The Empathetic Involvement of Nurses in the Context of Neuroscience: A Mixed-Methods Study

Background/Objectives: Empathy and emotional regulation (susceptibility and resistance) play an important role in a nurse's well-being and the provision of high-quality care. This phenomenon has not yet been studied in the context of nurses working in neuroscience. This study aimed to explore the perceptions related to empathy among nurses working in neuroscience contexts. Methods: Employing a mixed-methods approach, we conducted an online quantitative survey with 211 nurses working in various neuroscience settings using the Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES) and 15 online semistructured qualitative interviews to delve deeper into empathetic experiences. The mean and measures of dispersion, such as standard deviation, were used to analyze the quantitative data. Thematic analysis investigated qualitative data, and data triangulation was performed. Results: The quantitative findings revealed no significant differences in empathy or emotional regulation across the different neuroscience settings but highlighted an increase in susceptibility related to young age (under 29) and years of service (first 5 years). The interviews brought to light the challenges nurses face in highly emotional situations and the strategies they employ to manage empathy and maintain professional detachment, such as self-care strategies, awareness development, and team support. One hindering factor is managers. Conclusions: The findings of this study underscore the essential role of empathetic capability in nursing care in neuroscience. The experience of younger nurses and the first 5 years of employment are elements to be considered by managers for burnout risk. Nurses demonstrate susceptibility and resistance and maintain a balance in dealing with high-emotional-stress situations. The implications of these findings are significant and should guide future research and practice in the field of neuroscience nursing.

Moral sensitivity and caring behavior in nursing interns: the mediating role of empathy

Background

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between moral sensitivity, empathy, and caring behaviors and to explore the mediating effect of empathy on moral sensitivity and caring behaviors of nursing interns.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to September 2022 in which 261 nursing interns from two Grade 3A Hospitals in Xi'an participated. The questionnaires used in the survey include the General Information Questionnaire (GIQ), the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire-Revised Version translated into Chinese (MSQ R-CV), the Chinese version of the Jefferson Empathy Scale (JSE), and the Chinese version of the Caring Behavior Inventory (C-CBI). The obtained data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the mediating effect of empathy was tested through structural equations.

Results

The overall mean of moral sensitivity of nursing interns in two Grade 3A Hospitals in Xi'an is 40.84 ± 8.73, the overall mean of empathy is 100.51 ± 21.56, and the overall mean of caring behavior is (113.81 ± 21.05). Statistical analysis showed that there is a positive correlation between moral sensitivity and caring behavior of nursing interns (r = 0.376, p < 0.01), between their empathy and moral sensitivity (r = 0.336, p < 0.01), and between their empathy and caring behavior (r = 0.394, p < 0.01). The empathy of nursing interns has a mediated effect on the relationship between moral sensitivity and caring behavior. The mediated effect value was 0.14, accounting for 31.82% of the total effect.

Conclusion

The moral sensitivity of nursing interns can have a direct impact on predicting the caring behavior and indirect influences their caring behaviors mediated by empathy, with the latter effect being mediated by empathy. Therefore, nursing educators and hospital administrators should adopt targeted interventions to improve the moral sensitivity and empathy of nursing interns, which can further prove to be beneficial in improving their caring behaviors, leading to enhanced quality of nursing care and reduced nurse-patient conflicts and finally to a stabilized nursing team.

Application of Quantitative Assessment Strategy-Based Nursing Combined with Empathic Nursing in Patients Undergoing Tension-Free Inguinal Herniorrhaphy

Objective

This study aimed to explore the application of quantitative assessment strategy-based nursing combined with empathic nursing in patients undergoing tension-free inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Methods

82 patients who underwent tension-free inguinal herniorrhaphy in our hospital from May 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled. According to the random number table method, they were divided into three groups (A, B, and C). Patients in group A received quantitative assessment strategy-based nursing combined with empathic nursing, and group B received quantitative assessment strategy-based nursing. Group C received a routine intervention. The early recovery of the three groups was observed. Heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and blood pressure (BP) were recorded before entering the operating room and at the beginning of anesthesia. Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF, adult version) was used to assess the psychological status. The Modified Barthel Index (MBI) score of three groups at different time points was recorded. The complications of the three groups were observed.

Results

Compared with group C, wound healing time, ambulation time, hospital stay time, and time to resume daily activities in groups A and B were significantly shorter (all P < 0.05). At the beginning of anesthesia, HR and BP levels in the three groups were all decreased, with HR and BP levels in group A lower than those in group C and HR levels in group B lower than those in group C (all P < 0.05). After the intervention, the scores of emotional well-being, psychological well-being, and social well-being in groups A and B were higher than those in group C and the scores of psychological well-being and social well-being in group A were higher than those in group B (all P < 0.05). The daily living ability score of group A was higher than that of groups B and group C at discharge, one month after discharge, and three months after discharge, and the daily living ability score of group B was higher than that of group C at these three time points (all P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of complication rate among the three groups (10.71%, 14.81%, and 29.63%) (χ 2 = 3.616, all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Quantitative evaluation strategy-based nursing combined with empathic nursing can effectively improve the early recovery of patients undergoing tension-free inguinal herniorrhaphy, reduce their stress response, and improve their mental health and daily living ability.

Self-disclosure, empathy and anxiety in nurses

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-disclosure, empathy, and anxiety in nurses.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study was conducted with 255 nurses working in hospitals in Turkey. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Form, the Self-Disclosure Scale (SDS), the Basic Empathy Scale (BES), and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

FINDINGS

A statistically significant positive relationship was found among the SDS, BES, and Spielberger STAI.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Psychiatric nurses should ensure the reduction of nurses' anxiety levels by planning different interventions such as psychotherapy, counseling, and training. They may determine nurses' self-disclosure and empathy skills as well as their needs.

Motives for Empathy among Clinical Nurses in China: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the motives of clinical nurses for experiencing empathy with patients and their families based on a self-determination theory framework.

METHODS

Semi-structured face-to-face interviews with twenty-one nurses at four tertiary hospitals in Anhui, China, were conducted, recorded and transcribed. A content analysis with a directed approach was performed.

RESULTS

An analysis of the interview transcripts revealed three categories of empathy motivation: autonomous motivation, controlled motivation and a lack of empathy motivation. Autonomous motivation included personal interests, enjoyment and a sense of value, pure altruism, assimilation, and recognition of the importance of empathy. Controlled motivation highlighted pressures from oneself and others, the possibility of tangible or intangible rewards, and avoidance of adverse effects. Finally, a lack of empathy motivation referred to a lack of intention for empathy and denial of the value of empathy.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a deep understanding of the motives underlying empathy in nurses. The results reveal the reasons for empathy and may support the development of effective strategies to foster and promote empathy in nurses.