Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2018-8
The perceptions of nurses,patients and family members regarding nurses' empathetic behaviours towards patients suffering from cancer: a descriptive qualitative study
Although evidence suggests that empathic behaviour is an essential component in nursing care that affects the psychological distress experienced by cancer patients, it remains a neglected issue in nursing in Iran.
Methods:
This study was conducted on 33 participants selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and were then analysed using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach.
Findings:
Three categories of data thus emerged, comprising: (a) empathetic attention; (b) empathetic presence; and (c) the facilitators of empathetic behaviour.
Conclusions:
The findings can help oncology nurses provide more empathetic care to patients and their family members.
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