Nurses' Perception of Elderly Patient Compassionate Care Delivery in Beni_Suef city

Abstract

Background: Although compassionate care especially for elderly patients is increasingly addressed in nursing, little work was done in the Egyptian cultural context. Aim of the study: to measure nurses' perception of compassionate care delivery in Beni_Suef city. Subjects and methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was carried-out in Beni_Suef University Hospital, General Hospital, as well as Continuing/Long-term care and Home Health Care (HHC) services on 140 nurses in the settings. Data were collected using a self administered questionnaire including the compassionate care scale assessing nurse’s compassionate care attitude, practice, and self-confidence. The fieldwork lasted from January to June 2019. Results: Nurses’ age ranged between 20 and 65 years, mostly females (63.6%), with diploma degree nurses (68.6%). The majority had high compassionate attitude (82.9%), but only 51.4% had having adequate compassionate practice and 59.3% had high confidence in compassionate care. The compassionate care confidence and practice scores had significant positive correlations with qualification, and negative correlations with age and experience. Conclusion and recommendations: The nurses’ attitude towards compassionate care is high, whereas their practice of compassionate care and related self confidence are low. The study recommends in-service specialized training programs for nurses. The subject of compassionate care should be given more consideration in nursing curricula. Further research is suggested to evaluate the long-term effect of such programs on nurses’ practice of compassionate care and related self-confidence