Compassionate nursing care in an acute care trust

This research project comprised a narrative inquiry into the experience of compassionate nursing care in an acute care trust from the perspective of patients, relatives and nurses. It resulted from a collaboration between academic and practice nurses in response to social, political and professional concerns about compassion in healthcare (Firth Cozens and Cornwell 2009).

While it is recognised that caring and compassion are by no means owned by nursing this research began with nursing and patients because of its professional significance as an indicator of nursing quality and the public expectation that nursing is “the caring profession”. The objective of the research was to use the stories of patients, relatives and nurses to reveal their experiences of compassionate nursing care in an acute care context.

Project aims

Aims of the research were to:

  • capture experiences of compassion in nursing from patients, relative and nurses, through the stories they tell
  • capture the significance of compassion to nurses patients and relatives
  • identify through their stories enabling and inhibiting factors in the delivery of compassionate care
  • use the findings of the research to inform future education at the University and in the Trust to raise the profile of compassionate care

The research was developed as a collaborative project between three academics and a senior practicing nurse and supported by a local acute care trust.

Project impact

Compassion is valued by nurses, patients and relatives and is demonstrated by a word, a smile, or an act of kindness. However, participants struggle to express their humanity within the high pressure context of acute care. Complex contextual influences enable or inhibit its expression. Enabling factors include role modelling, supportive managers, effective teams and personal factors. Inhibiting factors include high workload, personal factors, patient needs which vary from the pathway norm and management requirements.

The research reveals the vulnerability of compassion within the high pressure context of acute care where nurses and patients struggle to maintain their individuality and humanity.

Research team

Dr Charlotte Ramage, Principal Investigator

Annie Chellel, Principal Lecturer

Claire Martin, Interim Head of Nursing Education, 51app and Sussex University Hospitals Trust

Paul Watters, Senior Lecturer

Output

Executive Summary (PDF)

Partners

51app and Sussex University Hospitals Trust