Introduction
Compassion is an important part of nursing practice and the way in which care is
delivered to patients. A number of high profile reports have highlighted the
consequences of the failure to demonstrate compassionate care, with others calling
for the introduction of compassion into nurse training.
Background
The recent reports into compassion recommend a need to create education
programmes for nursing students so that they can continue to show compassionate
care in practice. However, while the general literature explains the background to
compassion and various ways in which this virtue can be demonstrated, it is not clear
what type of training has been developed for nursing students or how effective such
programmes are at teaching compassion.
Aims and objectives
The aim of the study was to develop a model of learning that would help nursing
students understand and demonstrate the practical and emotional elements of
compassion in practice. An additional aim was that the Measure Explore Try Apply
(META) model would help bridge the gap between education and practice by preparing
nursing students for compassion in the workplace. The main objectives were; (1) to
investigate the characteristics of compassion in nursing, how compassion is taught
and measured, (2) explore and validate these findings further with a series of
stakeholder groups, (3) use the results of the study to create a compassion strengths
model for nurses’ compassion, (4) using the compassion strengths model as a
foundation develop a psychometric scale and online learning intervention to measure
and teach compassion strengths, and (5) validate both interventions with a cohort of
nursing students, and assess them for their individual and combined effectiveness in
relation to the META model.
Methods
A systematic review of the literature highlighted a dearth of empirical research to
support the identification of teaching and measurement of the characteristics of a
compassionate nurse. As the study aimed to develop a new psychometric
questionnaire, and an online scenario based learning course to help teach nursing
students about compassion, a mixed methods approach underpinned by pragmatism
was used. A variety of methods were included in the design of the studies. Directed
content, and thematic analysis were used to explore the qualitative data. In addition,
classic scale development statistics and confirmatory factor analysis methods were
used to analyse the quantitative data.
Findings
Two major findings from this study were the development of the META model and
Compassion Strengths model to support nursing students in the understanding and
demonstration of compassion in practice. The Compassion Strengths model suggests
that compassion is a multifaceted concept comprised of eight strengths, (1) Character, (2) Self-care, (3) Communication, (4) Connection, (5) Engagement, (6) Competence,
(7) Interpersonal skills, and (8) Empathy, which are key factors in the development of
a compassionate nurse. The META model proposes that nursing students can first
Measure themselves on their own unique compassion strengths. Next, using the
online course they can access and Explore information about each of the compassion
strengths to increase their knowledge and understanding of compassion. Then, Try
out what they have learned through a series of reflective scenarios. Last, students can
take what they have learned and Apply it to their practice. Nursing students who
engaged in the META model using the compassion strengths as a framework,
developed a new understanding of how to demonstrate compassion that they were
able to implement into their clinical practice with patients.
Conclusion
The META model, and Compassion Strengths model are two novel approaches to
teaching compassion in nursing. While nursing curricula undoubtedly cover some of
the compassion strengths included in this research, this study provides further
empirical evidence for their importance and ways in which they can be implemented
into nurse education and practice using the META model. The findings can be used to
explore new avenues in the pursuit of producing nursing students with the strengths
of compassion along their educational journey. The META model adds a unique
contribution to knowledge. It is a novel approach to teaching that can be used as a
learning tool to help students improve on specific compassion skills and help track
progress over time.
The results of this will not only have a positive impact on their own health and
wellbeing, but that of their patients too. While this study explored the impact of both
models on nursing students, the research could be applied to other healthcare
students and professionals
