An Intervention to Increase Nursing Students' Empathy Levels for People With Disabilities.

Background: People with disabilities (PWD) experience significant health disparities. With more than a quarter of adults in the United States having a disability, it is imperative nursing students gain skills in addressing and preventing these disparities. There is evidence that low levels of empathy among health professionals contributes to these disparities.

Method: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of role-play simulation and group interactivities on nursing students' empathy levels toward PWD. A mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) design was used to examine differences in empathy scores as measured by the Revised Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale between groups and over time.

Results: Data analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in composite empathy scores from pretest to posttest in the intervention group participants who received the role-play simulation and group interactivities.

Conclusion: This study supports the use of role-play simulation in teaching nursing students' content on caring for PWD.