Training nurses on empathy: Following skills assessment study at Kenyatta National Hospital

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Karani K Anna, Gitonga G Pius and Kimani T Samuel

University of Nairobi, Kenya
Kenyatta University, Kenya

: J Nurs Patient Care

Abstract

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Introduction: Empathy is a skill trainable for competence. which is one of the caring characteristics of nurses. Methodology: The study involved needs assessment, an intervention to promote the development and sustainability of empathy among nurses in Kenyatta National Hospital. A mixed method study design was used: explanatory sequential approach (needs assessment) where a pre/post intervention were used. A stratified sample of 189 nurses and a purposive sample of 16 nurses for two focus group discussions were obtained. A training intervention was implemented and pre/post scores compared. Results: Knowledge related to empathy was low during baseline (20%) however, an increase to high (90%) was reported after the training intervention. Scores on development of empathy improved significantly following training (Mb=0.50, Me=0.87), t(385), =-12.80, p<0.05. Similar improvements that hinder development (Mb=0.48, Me=0.88), t(385), =-14.13, p<0.05; factors favouring sustainability (Mb=0.66, Me=0.83), t(385), =-6.23, p<0.05 and factors hindering sustainability of empathy among nurses (Mb=0.34, Me=0.66), t(385), =-9.75, p<0.05. Knowledge on developing and sustaining empathy ranged between very low to average before interventional training. Conclusion: Achievement suggests that empathy is learnable competence. Training empathy skills empower nurses to practice when offered training opportunities. Recommendation: To integrate empathy as a core course in both pre and in-service training for nurses.

Biography

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E-mail: kagure@uonbi.ac.ke