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Clarifying misconceptions about compassionate care

Dewar, Belinda; Adamson, Elizabeth; Smith, Stephen; Surfleet, Joyce; King, Linda

Authors

Belinda Dewar

Joyce Surfleet

Linda King



Abstract

Aim
To discuss the meaning of compassionate care as it applies to staff, patients and families in health and social care settings, its application to practice and how organizational infrastructures affect the delivery of care.

Background
The term compassion has assumed headline status and inclusion in current health and social care policy. Clarity of what the term means in practice is needed and may help to promote delivery of compassionate care consistently across health and social care settings.

Design
Discussion paper.

Data Sources
This article draws on data from an action research programme (Leadership in Compassionate Care Programme, 2007–2011) that focused on embedding compassionate care into practice and education and related literature focused on compassionate person-centred care. A literature search was conducted and articles published in English relating to the terms compassionate, person-centred care between 1999–2011 were included.

Discussion
Perceptions of compassion, practising compassion and the infrastructure to support compassion are discussed.

Implications for Nursing
It is anticipated that this discussion will prompt further debate, raise awareness and help to clarify the meaning of compassion in everyday practice with patients, relatives and staff, so that it can be more clearly named, valued and defended.

Conclusion
This article challenges some of the beliefs and values that underpin the meaning of compassionate care and its application to practice. It brings greater clarity to the meaning of compassion, which could be used to form the basis of shared visions of caring, both strategic and operational, across organizations.

Citation

Dewar, B., Adamson, E., Smith, S., Surfleet, J., & King, L. (2013). Clarifying misconceptions about compassionate care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 70, 1738-1747. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12322

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 2, 2013
Publication Date 2013
Deposit Date Nov 20, 2015
Print ISSN 0309-2402
Electronic ISSN 1365-2648
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 70
Pages 1738-1747
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12322
Keywords caring; compassion; nursing; nursing practice; person-centred care; professional issues; quality; quality of care;relationships;
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/9297
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jan.12322