Effect of Communication Skills Training on Empathy of Nursing Students

Abstract

Background Empathy is a necessary factor in the provision of quality nursing care. Empathy is a skill that may be acquired. The authors aimed to evaluate the change in empathy levels in nursing students following communication skills training. Methods An evaluative pre-experimental one group pretest posttest design was used to collect data from hundred first year undergraduate nursing students. Toronto Empathy Questionnaire was used to determine the empathy level at baseline and after the intervention. Communication skill training was provided in the form of PowerPoint presentation role paly various exercises group activities demonstration and discussion.Results The mean empathy scores of students at posttest 45.03plusmn6.39 were higher than the mean empathy levels at pretest 42.6plusmn6.4. There was a significant difference in the post test empathy scores t4.6 p0.00001. The study showed significant improvement immediately in empathy levels following communication skills training.Conclusion The findings suggest a need to incorporate a regular training program into the existing nursing curriculum to enhance empathy and prevent its decline over the years.