Explore Best Practices in Family Nursing in Kenya: Empathy as a Value in Caring
Abstract
Gitonga G Pius, Karani K Anna and Kimani T Samuel
Introduction: Empathy is an affective-cognitive concept that has a rationally mediated set of responses. Family forms the basis of societal identity, kinships and survival. Through families the basis of caring, socialisation and identity for individuals is established. Family empathy ensures that family members care for one another as a shared responsibility. This study aimed at describing empathy characteristic values in caring.
Methodology: An explanatory sequential design was used to conduct a qualitative research at Kenyatta National Hospital. A purposive sample of thirty-two nurses was randomly assigned to three focused groups for discussions. Data collection was by verbatim notes and recorded tapes. Data analysis was by correspondence and thematic analysis.
Findings: Empathy involves displaying kindness and concern for others while caring is the state of being aware or informed about needs and intervening to meet that need. The relationship between empathy and caring was significant (p=0.000; p=0.05). Empathy as a value in caring was characterized by kindness, tolerance, listening, understanding and being available to intervene in patient needs. Caring was viewed as ability to achieve patient healthcare satisfaction, boost self-image and esteem for nurses, professional pride, and encouraging social cohesion and fosters national unity.
Conclusion: Empathy has its values in family and social structure. A functional family structure prepares individuals to embrace values of empathy and care for others as a personal responsibility. Caring nature of nurses has benefits for both nurses and patients.