The Sustainable Development Goals: A framework for addressing participation of persons with complex communication needs in South Africa

Examining nurses' humanistic behaviour ability and empathy levels in clinical practice: A descriptive and exploratory study

BACKGROUND

It is critical for nurses to provide healthcare services to healthy/sick individuals with a humanistic approach and with empathy.

AIMS

This research aimed to determine nurses' humanistic behaviour ability, empathy levels and related factors in clinical practice.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional and exploratory study.

METHODS

Probability sampling method was used, and 337 nurses working in two public hospitals were included in the study. Data was collected using the Humanistic Practice Ability of Nursing Scale and the Empathy Level Determination Scale. Structural equation model analysis and descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the hypothesised model. This study adhered to the STROBE checklist for reporting.

RESULTS

Nurses' humanistic ability and empathy level in nursing practices were found to be above average. Both the ability to act humanely in nursing practices and their empathy levels were found to be significantly higher in nurses who were married and had children. A significant relationship was found between empathy levels and humanistic behaviours. Accordingly, nurses' empathy levels positively affected their humanistic care behaviours, and the model established between the two concepts was found to be statistically appropriate.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses' empathy levels positively affect their ability to act humanistically. The result of the model established between the two concepts also supports this. Care strategies should be developed that consider factors that will improve empathetic and humanistic behaviours in nurses and maximise individualised care practices.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION

Increasing the awareness of nurses about the factors affecting humanistic behaviours and empathic attitudes while caring for individuals in clinical practice, will contribute to improving the quality of nursing care.

Communication for all and the Sustainable Development Goals

PURPOSE

Communication is central to the accomplishment of each of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is a fundamental human right.

METHOD

This special issue of the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology (IJSLP, vol. 25, no. 1) is dedicated to communication, swallowing and the SDGs; particularly focussing on people with communication and/or swallowing disability and those who support them.

RESULT

The papers in the special issue of IJSLP demonstrate that successful communication is necessary for realisation of all 17 SDGs at both a global and an individual level and advance the international call for SDG 18: Communication for All. The 36 papers address all 17 goals, focussing on poverty, hunger, health, education, work, innovation, climate, cities, land, oceans, justice, and partnerships. Authors worked and undertook their research in Australia, Austria, Benin, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, China, Columbia, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Greece, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Maldives, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, State of Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Serbia, South Africa, Uganda, UK, USA, Vietnam.

CONCLUSION

Communication for all is essential for the achievement of the SDGs, "peace and prosperity for people and the planet" (United Nations, 2015a). Achievement of the SDGs is the role of all; including communication specialists, people with communication/swallowing disability, their families and communities.