Self-awareness, empathy, and patient-centered care among critical care nurses in Jordan

• Published in: Psychology, health & medicine Vol. 28; no. 9; pp. 2764 - 2775
• Main Authors: Abu Lebda, Hadeel, Malak, Malakeh.Z., Hamaideh, Shaher. H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 21.10.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Critical care; Critical care nurses; Educational programs; Empathy; Health education; Hospitals; Nurse patient relationships; Nurses; Patient-centered care; Patients; Quality of care; Self awareness; Selfawareness; Social support; Sociodemographics; Stress
• ISSN: 1354-8506; 1465-3966; 1465-3966
• DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2022.2094427

Self-awareness, empathy, and patient-centered care are essential components for nurses for improving nurse-patient relationship and providing high-quality care for the patients. There is limited research regarding these components among critical care nurses in Arab countries, including Jordan. Thus, this study purposed to evaluate the self-awareness, empathy, and patient-centered care among critical care nurses in Jordan. A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was applied. Data were collected from 140 registered nurses from six hospitals in different health sectors. Findings showed that the mean scores for self-awareness, empathy and patient-centered care were as follows: 1.92 (SD = 0.27), 4.87 (SD = 0.88), and 3.71 (SD = 0.80), respectively. These results indicate that nurses had a high level of self-awareness and empathy and a low level of patient-centered care. There was no relationship between self-awareness and socio-demographic variables, perceived stress, and social support. Also, there was a positive relationship between empathy and social support (r = 0.310, p < 0.001). Patient-centered care had a positive relationship with social support (r = 0.202, p < 0.05) and perceived stress (r = 0.175, p < 0.05), also, male nurses had higher patient-centered care than female encounters. Social support was a predictor of empathy, while social support and perceived stress were the main predictors for patient-centered care. The results of the study reflect the need for educational programs to promote self-awareness and empathy to enhance patient-centered care and achieve high-quality patient care. Additionally, correlating factors with PCC (social support and perceived stress) should be taken into consideration upon implementing any interventional programs.