Factors Affecting the Empathic Tendency Levels and Communication Skills of the Palliative Care Nurses

Abstract

Aim: This study was planned as a descriptive study to determine the factors affecting the empathic tendency levels and communication skills of palliative care nurses. Method: The study was conducted in two hospitals affiliated with Samsun Province Public Hospitals General Directorate between the dates of 01/12/2017-30/12/2017. The sample consisted of 60 nurses, including 30 nurses responsible for the care of palliative care patients, 30 nurses working in internal and surgical units. The data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of 23 questions introducing the socio-demographic and professional characteristics of the nurses and Empathic Tendency Scale and Communication Skills Assessment Scale. In the evaluation of the data, percentage calculation, Kruskal Wallis, Spearman correlation test, Mann Whitney U test were used. Findings: The total score of the Empathic Tendency Scale of the nurses was 72.21 ± 7.22 and the mean of the Communication Assessment Scale was 80.23 ± 7.82. The mean Empathic Tendency Scale score of the nurses in the palliative care units was 71.46 ± 7.53, and their mean Communication Skills Assessment Scale score was 80.03 ± 8.42. The mean Empathic Tendency Scale score of the nurses in internal and surgical units was 72.96±9.94, and their mean Communication Skills Assessment Scale score was 80.43±11.30. A weak positive correlation was found between the Empathic Tendency Scale scores of the nurses and the Communication Skills Assessment Scale scores (r=0.298 p<0,05). Conclusion: No statistically significant difference was found between the Empathic Tendency Scale and Communication Skills Assessment Scale scores of the nurses working in palliative care nurses and internal and surgical units (p>0.05).

Keywords

• palyatif bakım
• hemşire
• empati
• iletişim
• palliative care
• nurse
• empathy
• communication