Mary-Ellen Barker , Jennie King , Brett Mitchell , Amanda Dawson , Gary Crowfoot
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Empathic care benefits patients and healthcare providers. There is evidence of self-reported empathy decline among students in healthcare education. Hospital volunteering could assist undergraduate healthcare students to develop empathetic relationships with patients.
Aim
The study aimed to investigate the feasibility and effect of a hospital volunteering intervention on the empathy levels of undergraduate nursing and medical students. It further aimed to explore their experience of the intervention and determine student-identified areas for patient safety improvements.
Design
Pre–post-intervention study
Setting
A large outer metropolitan hospital in New South Wales, Australia.
Participants
Twenty-nine (n = 29) undergraduate nursing and medical students from an Australian university.
Methods
Students had an introductory experience of volunteering at their local district hospital through participation in the ‘Volunteer Taster Program’. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professions Student questionnaire was used to measure student empathy scores pre and post program. Responses to open-ended questions were thematically analysed to evaluate student experiences and identify student-reported areas for patient safety improvements.
Results
Twenty-nine students (18 nursing, 11 medical) completed the program. Students had statistically significant improvements in post-intervention mean empathy scores 112.03 (95% CI 107.56, 116.5) to 117.38 (95% CI 113.76, 121.00) p < 0.001. Subgroup analysis identified a larger increase in empathy scores among medical students than nursing students. The thematic analysis revealed potential program benefits, including new perspectives of the patient experience, improved confidence in patient communication, a stronger professional identity, and a rewarding experience. Identified patient safety issues included concerns for patients’ emotional and physical well-being, and patient communication.
Conclusions
The Volunteer Taster Program is feasible and enabled nursing and medical students to connect with patients outside the sphere of clinical education. It appears to increase empathy levels in undergraduate students and could assist them to deliver empathetic, person-centred healthcare.
期刊介绍：
Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice, Scholarship and Research is the official journal of Australian College of Nursing (ACN).
The journal aims to reflect the broad interests of nurses and the nursing profession, and to challenge nurses on emerging areas of interest. It publishes research articles and scholarly discussion of nursing practice, policy and professional issues.
Papers published in the journal are peer reviewed by a double blind process using reviewers who meet high standards of academic and clinical expertise. Invited papers that contribute to nursing knowledge and debate are published at the discretion of the Editor.
The journal, online only from 2016, is available to members of ACN and also by separate subscription.
ACN believes that each and every nurse in Australia should have the opportunity to grow their career through quality education, and further our profession through representation. ACN is the voice of influence, providing the nursing expertise and experience required when government and key stakeholders are deciding the future of health.
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