Compassion training in healthcare: what are patients’ perspectives on training healthcare providers?

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate advanced cancer patients’ perspectives on the importance, feasibility, teaching methods, and issues associated with training healthcare providers in compassionate care.MethodsThis study utilized grounded theory, a qualitative research method, to develop an empirical understanding of compassion education rooted in direct patient reports. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain an in-depth understanding of compassion training from the perspectives of hospitalized advanced cancer patients (n = 53). Data were analyzed in accordance with grounded theory to determine the key elements of the underlying theory.ResultsThree overarching categories and associated themes emerged from the data: compassion aptitude, cultivating compassion, and training methods. Participants spoke of compassion as an innate quality embedded in the character of learners prior to their healthcare training, which could be nurtured through experiential learning and reflective practices. Patients felt that the innate qualities that learners possessed at baseline were further fashioned by personal and practice experiences, and vocational motivators. Participants also provided recommendations for compassion training, including developing an interpersonal relationship with patients, seeing the patient as a person, and developing a human connection. Teaching methods that patients suggested in compassion training included patient-centered communication, self-reflection exercises, and compassionate role modeling.ConclusionsThis study provides insight on compassion training for both current and future healthcare providers, from the perspectives of the end recipients of healthcare provider training – patients. Developing a theoretical base for patient centred, evidence-informed, compassion training is a crucial initial step toward the further development of this core healthcare competency.

Gaining insight into the supportive care needs of women experiencing gynaecological cancer: A qualitative study

“…The women in this investigation discussed opposing styles of communication, and they identified that “feeling supported” during their interactions with health professionals resulted in a positive experience. This is supported by previous studies in cancer communication indicating that patients not only value adequate information to assist them in making informed decisions about their care (Chan, Kan, Lee, Chan, & Lam, 2012) but also communication styles that demonstrate patient‐centeredness and value patients as worthy and active participants in their care (Sinclair et al, 2016; Skea, Maclennan, Entwistle, & N'Dow, 2014; Zucca, Sanson‐Fisher, Waller, & Carey, 2014).…”

Healthcare providers’ perspectives on perceived barriers and facilitators of compassion: Results from a grounded theory study

“…Data were collected from the participants using focus groups and one‐on‐one semistructured interviews. An interview guide (Table ) was used for the focus groups and was developed based on our literature reviews (Sinclair, Kondejewski, Raffin‐Bouchal, King‐Shier, & Singh, ; Sinclair, Raffin‐Bouchal, Venturato, Mijovic‐Kondejewski, & Smith‐MacDonald, ; Sinclair, Russell, Hack, Kondejewski, & Sawatzky, ; Sinclair, Norris, et al., ) and the research team's previous experience in conducting qualitative studies (Sinclair, Bouchal, Chochinov, Hagen, & McClement, ; Sinclair, McClement, et al., ; Sinclair, Torres, et al., ; Sinclair, Beamer, et al., ). While the guiding questions were designed to facilitate conversations, including potential barriers and facilitators, two targeted questions were developed to address this topic specifically: What do you feel are the major influencers of compassionate care in your practice?…”

Compassionate education from preschool to graduate school

“…37-38). When surveyed, patients themselves are unsurprisingly enthusiastic about compassion training for healthcare providers (Sinclair, Torres, Raffin-Bouchal, Hack, McClement, Hagen and Chochinov, 2016).…”