Exploring the Compassionate Care Connection

Abstract

Although the word "compassion" is an integral component of nursing care, a clear conceptualization of the term is lacking. This article examines compassion from historical, biblical, and global perspectives; spiritual connections; and calls for research to help build our understanding of what compassion means and how to enter into other's suffering.

Exploring Students' Perceptions and Understanding of Life-Altering Suffering: An Interview Project

“…Other researchers recognized this potential for students who were touched by patients' suffering and who felt confirmed in their sense of being called to the profession as well as more responsible for their patients (Rudolffson & Berggren, 2012). Burnell (2010) reflected that the best demonstration of compassion is derived from professional caregivers' own experiences, "their own woundsas a source of understanding and a connection to the wounds of others" (p. 308).…”

Evidence of the Unspeakable

“…Her assertion of the failure of patient "satisfaction" scores to capture compassionate care as an outcome variable is intriguing. By shifting the focus of outcomes from such constructs as "cost" and "satisfaction" to "perception of compassionate care," Burnell 19 suggests a pathway to rendering compassion salient as an outcome variable. In spite of the difficulties inherent in capturing the essence of such mimetic entities as suffering and compassion in quantitative studies, research along these lines is an essential part of resisting the Unspeakable.…”

“…If the Unspeakable's discourse asserts that cost reduction is the ultimate standard by which evidence is judged, we can counter with the documentation of the value-both human and monetary-of compassion. Burnell 19 provides a nuanced analysis of research possibilities for exploring compassion and rendering its centrality to nursing care more visible. Her assertion of the failure of patient "satisfaction" scores to capture compassionate care as an outcome variable is intriguing.…”

“I Can't Breathe”: Biopower in the Time of COVID-19

“…Praxis should include the exploration of compassion and its central role in nursing. Compassion-based care, not profit, should be a metric for a critical outcome 12,43. We recommend the use of equity tools—noting which intersecting identities are the most vulnerable in a manner which enables survivance.…”