Empathy Concept Analysis

  1. Introduction
  2. Purpose of Paper- To explore the concept of empathy, and how it can be applied in nursing. The nurse-patient connection relies heavily on empathy, which is fostered by active participation on the side of the patient. Anecdotal evidence suggests that empathy is an effective way for healthcare professionals to connect with their patients. Carl Rogers discovered that empathizing with others might be a valuable tool in therapy (Sedaghati Kesbakhi et al., 2017).
  3. Explanation of Concept Analysis- The foundation of many nursing programs and ideas is concept analysis, which helps to improve the quality and value of nursing activities. The nurse researchers who employ research instruments from other disciplines need to be aware of how different ideas are used in nursing.
  4. Why this Concept was Chosen- Empathy is seen as an essential component of patient care in nursing. An empathic nurse is typically beneficial to patients and their loved ones. An empathetic nurse is attentive to the sentiments and difficulties of their patients, but stays focused on helping the patient strive to reach good outcomes, according to research. The nurse researchers who employ research tools from other fields need to be aware of how different ideas are used in nursing.
  5. To talk about nursing’s notion of empathy, as well as the literature around it, as well as the traits and use cases that come with it.

Review of Literature

Using empathy as a concept on its own is highlighted in nursing literature. Empathy is thought to have therapeutic benefit in patient-nurse relationships and might thus make nurses more appealing to patients. Teaching nurses how to be empathic in order to enhance their interactions with patients is one of the proven efforts in nursing practice.

  1. Definition of Empathy – Empathy and kindness are terms used to describe a wide range of aspects of nursing practice. In order to have empathy, you must be able to grasp the patient’s viewpoint and emotions, communicate this knowledge, and verify its correctness with the patient before acting on it therapeutically. However, studies on mental health and nursing have shown that empathy plays a significant role in nursing care despite the absence of primary care (Reeves et al., 2021). Teaching medical students to empathize with patients is an effective way to enhance their skills as nurses.
  2. Empathy Nursing Articles
  3. Hunt, P. A., Denieffe, S., & Gooney, M. (2017). Burnout and its relationship to empathy in nursing: a review of the literature. Journal of Research in Nursing, 22(1–2), 7–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987116678902
  4. Reeves, A. L., Nyatanga, B., & Neilson, S. J. (2021). Transforming empathy to empathetic practice amongst nursing and drama students. Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, 26(2), 358–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/13569783.2021.1876556
  • Sedaghati Kesbakhi, M., Rohani, C., Mohtashami, J., & Nasiri, M. (2017). Empathy from the perspective of oncology nurses. Journal of Compassionate Health Care, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40639-017-0036-0
  1. Wilkinson, H., Whittington, R., Perry, L., & Eames, C. (2017). Examining the relationship between burnout and empathy in healthcare professionals: A systematic review. Burnout Research, 6, 18–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burn.2017.06.003
  2. Defining Attributes

Relationship, communication, and understanding are three essential characteristics of empathy. Patient-nurse relationships are built on open and honest exchanges of information. This helps the nurse and patient form a therapeutic relationship by including vital information about the patient’s health and circumstances. Being empathetic means being aware of the events and experiences of the patients as well as the ramifications they have for both them and the nurses (Reeves et al., 2021).

  1. Cases
  2. Model Case
  3. Definition of Model Case

When a concept is used in a model case, it shows all of its distinguishing characteristics.

  1. Example of Model Case

A nurse visits a patient’s room to see how he is doing. The patient’s cries of anguish were discovered by the nurse. Asking the patient what’s wrong and if they need any support is an integral part of the nursing process. Despite the fact that this was his first time having surgery, the patient expressed his fear to the nurse. Here, the nurse shows empathy by recalling a time when he too was filled with anxiety and terror. When confronted with a new and frightening scenario, the nurse reassures the patient that he is not alone. Next, the nurse went through the significance of surgery and the need of not being afraid with the patient.

  • Why it Meets Criteria

When communicating with the patient, the nurse demonstrated empathy by recognizing and responding to the patient’s feelings.

  1. Borderline Case
  2. Definition of Borderline Case

A borderline case is an individual or something that cannot be categorically defined as some were immediately struck out because they were ineligible.

  1. Example of Borderline Case

After hearing the patient’s cries, a nurse approached. Asked about the cause of her tears, he inquires. The patient said that he was afraid about the upcoming procedure. The nurse answers and explains to the patient that the process was required if he was to live.

  • Why it Meets Criteria

In this instance, the nurse has talked with the patient, but she has not utilized empathy to comprehend the patient’s sentiments and provide him with hope.

  1. Contrary Case
  2. Definition of Contrary Case

Unlike a model example, a contrary situation is the polar opposite of what one would expect.

  1. Example of Contrary Case

There was a patient in the ward who was wailing in anguish when the nurse entered. The nurse tells the patient to be quiet and that everything is okay. Despite being in excruciating agony, the patient resolves to keep quiet.

  • Why it Meets Criteria

Empathy was absent from the nurse’s performance in this instance.

  1. Antecedents and Consequences
  2. Antecedents

Empathy’s antecedents may include a desire to assist patients and the spread of knowledge. Nurses may not search for circumstances or places in which they can aid if they lack the motivation to do so. Empathy in patient health care is predicated on a desire to assist the patients. In order for nurses to be helpful, they must be aware of the patient’s behavior and be able to identify when and how they require assistance (Hunt et al., 2017). The patient-nurse relationship thrives on mutual understanding. As a nurse, it is essential to have empathy for the patient in order to be able to communicate effectively with them.

  1. Consequences

The patient’s contentment and the patient’s sense of care would be the outcomes of the nurse-patient interaction. Positive interactions between patients and nurses in an empathic encounter lead to a sense of respect by the nurse, which results in patient satisfaction (Sedaghati Kesbakhi et al., 2017). As a result of the good contact between the patient and the nurse, job satisfaction and lower turnover rates may be achieved.

  1. Empirical Referents
  2. How the Concept is Measured

Sympathy and communication skills are two closely connected concepts in the idea of empathy. These terms are often used interchangeably by those in the fields of nursing and clinical practice. According to Wilkinson et al. (2017), listening and communicating are critical to empathy. In order to convey empathy, nurses rely on active listening. Comprehension of the patient’s predicament is made possible via the use of empathy, a communication skill.

  1. Study where the Tool was Used- Wilkinson, H., Whittington, R., Perry, L., & Eames, C. (2017). Examining the relationship between burnout and empathy in healthcare professionals: A systematic review. Burnout Research, 6, 18–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burn.2017.06.003
  2. Summary

Nurses must analyze diverse ideas by doing concept evaluations to improve their grasp of them. Exploring a subject’s concepts helps researchers find different elements of it. The notion of empathy in nursing has been discussed in this paper, which assists in comprehending the patient’s position, emotions, comprehension, and verifying the scenario’s correctness in order to provide the necessary assistance. The sympathetic nurse-patient interaction has been highlighted by dissecting the empathy notion into its antecedents, consequences, and qualities. According to the paper, empathy is a crucial notion for nurses to understand. Nurses are able to empathize with patients in a hospital setting because they are trained to do so. Patients are given hope by nurses who demonstrate empathy by recognizing and communicating their own sentiments of empathy for them.