Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing (대한간호학회지)

Korean Society of Nursing Science (한국간호과학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Motives for Empathy among Clinical Nurses in China: A Qualitative Study

  • Zhu, Yu (Clinical Nursing Department, Nursing School, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine) ;
  • He, Ming-Mei (Obstetrics Department, Anhui Women and Child Health Care Hospital) ;
  • Zhu, Ji-Min (School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine) ;
  • Huang, Li (Clinical Nursing Department, Nursing School, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine) ;
  • Li, Bai-Kun (School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine)
  • Received : 2020.05.11
  • Accepted : 2020.09.19
  • Published : 2020.12.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the motives of clinical nurses for experiencing empathy with patients and their families based on a self-determination theory framework. Methods: Semi-structured face-to-face interviews with twenty-one nurses at four tertiary hospitals in Anhui, China, were conducted, recorded and transcribed. A content analysis with a directed approach was performed. Results: An analysis of the interview transcripts revealed three categories of empathy motivation: autonomous motivation, controlled motivation and a lack of empathy motivation. Autonomous motivation included personal interests, enjoyment and a sense of value, pure altruism, assimilation, and recognition of the importance of empathy. Controlled motivation highlighted pressures from oneself and others, the possibility of tangible or intangible rewards, and avoidance of adverse effects. Finally, a lack of empathy motivation referred to a lack of intention for empathy and denial of the value of empathy. Conclusion: This study provides a deep understanding of the motives underlying empathy in nurses. The results reveal the reasons for empathy and may support the development of effective strategies to foster and promote empathy in nurses.

Keywords

References

  1. Morse JM, Anderson G, Bottorff JL, Yonge O, O'Brien B, Solberg SM, et al. Exploring empathy: A conceptual fit for nursing practice? Image--The Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 1992;24(4):273-280. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1992.tb00733.x
  2. Hojat M. Empathy in patient care: Antecedents, development, measurement, and outcomes. New York (NY): Springer; 2007. p. 67.
  3. Zhu Y, Zhan YC, Zhu JM, Huang L, Zhang L, Zhang M, et al. The development and psychometric validation of a Chinese empathy motivation scale. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2019;28(13-14):2599-2612. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14846
  4. Dor A, Mashiach Eizenberg M, Halperin O. Hospital nurses in comparison to community nurses: Motivation, empathy, and the mediating role of burnout. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research. 2019;51(2):72-83. https://doi.org/10.1177/0844562118809262
  5. Aomatsu M, Otani T, Tanaka A, Ban N, van Dalen J. Medical students' and residents' conceptual structure of empathy: A qualitative study. Education for Health. 2013;26(1):4-8. https://doi.org/10.4103/1357-6283.112793
  6. Vioulac C, Aubree C, Massy ZA, Untas A. Empathy and stress in nurses working in haemodialysis: A qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2016;72(5):1075-1085. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12899
  7. Vanlaere L, Timmermann M, Stevens M, Gastmans C. An explorative study of experiences of healthcare providers posing as simulated care receivers in a 'care-ethical' lab. Nursing Ethics. 2012;19(1):68-79. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733011412103
  8. Taleghani F, Ashouri E, Saburi M. Empathy, burnout, demographic variables and their relationships in oncology nurses. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. 2017;22(1):41-45. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_66_16
  9. Dambha-Miller H, Feldman AL, Kinmonth AL, Griffin SJ. Association between primary care practitioner empathy and risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes: A population-based prospective cohort study. Annals of Family Medicine. 2019;17(4):311-318. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2421
  10. Kesbakhi MS, Rohani C. Exploring oncology nurses' perception of the consequences of clinical empathy in patients and nurses: A qualitative study. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2020;28(6):2985-2993. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-05118-z
  11. Deci EL, Ryan RM. The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry. 2000;11(4):227-268. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli1104_01
  12. Ryan RM, Deci EL. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: Classic definitions and new directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology. 2000;25(1):54-67. https://doi.org/10.1006/ceps.1999.1020
  13. Ryan RM, Deci EL. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist. 2000;55(1):68-78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68
  14. Munhall PL. Nursing research: A qualitative perspective. 4th ed. Sudbury (MA): Jones and Bartlett Publishers; 2007. p. 86.
  15. Hsieh HF, Shannon SE. Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research. 2005;15(9):1277-1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687
  16. Brink HI. Validity and reliability in qualitative research. Curationis. 1993;16(2):35-38. https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v16i2.1396
  17. Cypress BS. Rigor or reliability and validity in qualitative research: Perspectives, strategies, reconceptualization, and recommendations. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. 2017;36(4):253-263. https://doi.org/10.1097/DCC.0000000000000253
  18. Kluczynska U. Motives for choosing and resigning from nursing by men and the definition of masculinity: A qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2017;73(6):1366-1376. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13240
  19. Lombardo B, Eyre C. Compassion fatigue: A nurse's primer. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. 2011;16(1):3. https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol16No01Man03
  20. Mommaerts JL, Goubert L, Devroey D. Empathy beyond the conceptual level: Core nonspecific factors of psychotherapy. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine. 2012;55(2):175-182. https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.2012.0018
  21. van der Burgt SME, Kusurkar RA, Croiset G, Peerdeman SM. Exploring the situational motivation of medical specialists: A qualitative study. International Journal of Medical Education. 2018;9:57-63. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.5a83.6025
  22. Taleghani F, Ashouri E, Memarzadeh M, Saburi M. Barriers to empathy-based care: Oncology nurses' perceptions. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance. 2018;31(3):249-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-12-2016-0185
  23. Coetzee SK, Klopper HC. Compassion fatigue within nursing practice: A concept analysis. Nursing and Health Sciences. 2010;12(2):235-243. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-2018.2010.00526.x
  24. Ahrweiler F, Neumann M, Goldblatt H, Hahn EG, Scheffer C. Determinants of physician empathy during medical education: Hypothetical conclusions from an exploratory qualitative survey of practicing physicians. BMC Medical Education. 2014;14:122. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-14-122
  25. Ashouri E, Taleghani F, Memarzadeh M, Saburi M, Babashahi F. The perceptions of nurses, patients and family members regarding nurses' empathetic behaviours towards patients suffering from cancer: A descriptive qualitative study. Journal of Research in Nursing. 2018;23(5):428-443. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987118756945
  26. Baard PP, Neville SM. The intrinsically motivated nurse. Help and hindrance from evaluation feedback sessions. Journal of Nursing Administration. 1996;26(7-8):19-26. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005110-199607000-00007