The influence of clients' perceptions of the helping relationship in the development of an empathy scale

Abstract

The paper includes a discussion about the origins of items on a measure of cognitive-behavioural empathy. This scale was originally produced by the author as a teaching tool for an empathy education programme (for RNs) and subsequently developed into a quantitative measure of empathy. The instrument is being used as part of a triangulated approach for data collection on research into the effectiveness of an educational programme about registered nurses' empathy. Antecedents of the initial item pool for the scale stem from theoretical views about empathy, the professional experience of others, and the researcher's experience with clients. While this scale has undergone some investigation for reliability and validity, this work will only be summarized briefly. The major focus for the paper is clients' reports of interpersonal conditions which they perceive as being helpful, or unhelpful, in respect of building therapeutic nurse-client relationships.

Clients' reflections on relationships with nurses: comparisons from Canada and Scotland

“…Rogers (1975) suggests that: ‘Perhaps if we wish to become better therapists, we should let our clients tell us whether we are understanding them accurately’. In a similar vein Reynolds (1994) and Reynolds et al (1999) argue that clients could inform nurses about what is effective, or ineffective, about the nurse–client relationship. This paper will explore the question, ‘How do clients perceive the evolving therapeutic relationship with nurses?’…”

Escala CARE de empatia: tradução para o Português falado no Brasil e resultados iniciais de validação

“…O grupo foi composto por 5 homens e 6 mulheres, com mediana de idade de 27 (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32) anos. Não foram encontradas correlações significantes entre os escores da escala CARE dos pacientes e as pontuações totais da escala IRI ou IE informadas pelos seus respectivos médicos.…”

“…28,29 Além disso, existem instrumentos desenvolvidos especificamente para uso no âmbito da saúde, tais como a Barrett-Lennard Empathy Scale, Escala de Empatia de Reynolds e Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy. 30,31,32 Uma medida de empatia simples, desenvolvida para emprego na prática médica e que vem sendo utilizada no exterior é denominada CARE (Consultation and Relational Empathy). 33,34,35 Tal escala foi concebida na Escócia e adequadamente validada para uso em consultórios em nível de atendimento primário.…”

Suicide: a literature review and its implications for nursing practice in Taiwan

“…Much has been derived from exploring nurses’ perceived competence in communicating (Burnard & Morrison 1991). However, there is a need for a detailed analysis of what constitutes effective, therapeutic communication practice in the nurse–patient relationship (Reynolds 1994). In simple terms, research is needed to determine if perceived competence in communicating psychotherapeutically translates into actual performance of the behaviour.…”

“…Empathy cannot be used in isolation from other non‐verbal skills and qualities. For example, it is important for psychiatric nurses to listen actively (Reynolds 1994), through the lens of non‐judgemental attitudes (Slevin 1999), and respond compassionately.…”