Preventing care factor zero: improving patient outcomes and nursing satisfaction and retention through facilitation of compassionate person-centred care

Abstract

Aim: A discussion of empathy and compassion including patient and nursing perspectives, barriers and enablers, and the potential for development, teachability, and sustainability of empathy and compassion in nursing.Background: Whilst compassion and empathy have long been recognised as prerequisites for the provision of effective nursing care, there are many interpretations of their meanings and the two are often transposed. The presence or absence of compassionate and empathetic nursing care has multiple positive and negative effects on nursing satisfaction and retention and on patients' experiences and health outcomes.Design: Discussion paper.