The Effect of Knowledge Brokering on Nurses' Empathy with Patients Receiving Cardiac Care: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Background Previous reports have suggested a relationship between empathetic behaviors and a reduction in cardiovascular events. However, evidence has also revealed a lack of empathy among nurses. Therefore, interventions are necessary to improve empathy among cardiac nurses. Aim To determine the effect of knowledge brokering on nurses' empathy with patients receiving cardiac care. Methods This is an experimental study conducted on a total of 100 cardiac nurses. Participants were assigned to two groups of control and intervention using stratified random allocation. In the intervention group, knowledge brokering was performed using Dobbin's seven-stage method. Data were collected using Empathy Construct Rating Scale (ECRS) With the overall score ranges from +252 to -252. Then, data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. The significance level was considered < .05. Results The mean empathy change score (MECS) ± standard deviation was 22.90 ± 50.93 in the intervention group (p = .003) and 7.10 ± 60.20 in the control group (p = .408). The MECS between the study groups was compared based on the baseline empathy score (BES) (<100, ≥100). This comparison revealed that in nurses with BES ≥100, the adjusted MECS in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (11.44 units versus -15.42 units). Conclusion(s) The findings indicate that the effectiveness of knowledge brokering depends on the BES of nurses. The utilization of this intervention can enhance empathetic behaviors in cardiac nurses with a BES ≥100. This empirical study contributes to a better understanding of knowledge brokering.