Mark Durkin

Introduction Compassion is an important part of nursing practice and the way in which care is delivered to patients. A number of high profile reports have highlighted the consequences of the failure to demonstrate compassionate care, with others calling for the introduction of compassion into nurse training.
Background The recent reports into compassion recommend a need to create education programmes for nursing students so that they can continue to show compassionate care in practice. However, while the general literature explains the background to compassion and various ways in which this virtue can be demonstrated, it is not clear what type of training has been developed for nursing students or how effective such programmes are at teaching compassion.
Aims and objectives The aim of the study was to develop a model of learning that would help nursing students understand and demonstrate the practical and emotional elements of compassion in practice. An additional aim was that the Measure Explore Try Apply (META) model would help bridge the gap between education and practice by preparing nursing students for compassion in the workplace. The main objectives were; (1) to investigate the characteristics of compassion in nursing, how compassion is taught and measured, (2) explore and validate these findings further with a series of stakeholder groups, (3) use the results of the study to create a compassion strengths model for nurses’ compassion, (4) using the compassion strengths model as a foundation develop a psychometric scale and online learning intervention to measure and teach compassion strengths, and (5) validate both interventions with a cohort of nursing students, and assess them for their individual and combined effectiveness in relation to the META model.
Methods A systematic review of the literature highlighted a dearth of empirical research to support the identification of teaching and measurement of the characteristics of a compassionate nurse. As the study aimed to develop a new psychometric questionnaire, and an online scenario based learning course to help teach nursing students about compassion, a mixed methods approach underpinned by pragmatism was used. A variety of methods were included in the design of the studies. Directed content, and thematic analysis were used to explore the qualitative data. In addition, classic scale development statistics and confirmatory factor analysis methods were used to analyse the quantitative data.
Findings Two major findings from this study were the development of the META model and Compassion Strengths model to support nursing students in the understanding and demonstration of compassion in practice. The Compassion Strengths model suggests that compassion is a multifaceted concept comprised of eight strengths, (1) Character, (2) Self-care, (3) Communication, (4) Connection, (5) Engagement, (6) Competence, (7) Interpersonal skills, and (8) Empathy, which are key factors in the development of a compassionate nurse. The META model proposes that nursing students can first Measure themselves on their own unique compassion strengths. Next, using the online course they can access and Explore information about each of the compassion strengths to increase their knowledge and understanding of compassion. Then, Try out what they have learned through a series of reflective scenarios. Last, students can take what they have learned and Apply it to their practice. Nursing students who engaged in the META model using the compassion strengths as a framework, developed a new understanding of how to demonstrate compassion that they were able to implement into their clinical practice with patients.
Conclusion The META model, and Compassion Strengths model are two novel approaches to teaching compassion in nursing. While nursing curricula undoubtedly cover some of the compassion strengths included in this research, this study provides further empirical evidence for their importance and ways in which they can be implemented into nurse education and practice using the META model. The findings can be used to explore new avenues in the pursuit of producing nursing students with the strengths of compassion along their educational journey. The META model adds a unique contribution to knowledge. It is a novel approach to teaching that can be used as a learning tool to help students improve on specific compassion skills and help track progress over time.
The results of this will not only have a positive impact on their own health and wellbeing, but that of their patients too. While this study explored the impact of both models on nursing students, the research could be applied to other healthcare students and professionals.