Releasing latent compassion through an innovative compassion curriculum for Specialist Community Public Health Nurses

To evaluate the impact of a curriculum based on the Compassionate Mind Model (CMM) designed to facilitate the expression of compassion in Specialist Community Public Health Nurses.

The CMM identifies that fear of compassion creates a barrier to the flow of compassion. There is some evidence linking self-compassion to compassionate care but no previous research has explored this potential with postregistration specialist community public health nursing students.

Prospective, longitudinal design using focus group interviews.

Twenty six students (81% of cohort) agreed to participate in a wider evaluation (2014-2015). For this study, two groups were drawn from those participants (total 13 students) who attended audio-taped group interviews at the course mid- and end-points to explore their perceptions on compassion and compassionate care. Transcripts were analysed thematically.

Several subthemes were identified. "Cultural change in the NHS", "Workload and meeting targets" and "Lack of time were barriers to compassionate care, as was negative "Role modelling". These were collated under a macro-theme of "A culture lacking in compassion". Secondly, the subthemes "Actualization of compassion" and "Transformation" were collated within a macro-theme: "Realization of compassion". This theme identified realization of latent compassion from their previous roles that in some transferred into students' personal lives suggesting a transformation beyond professional attitude.

The curriculum facilitated a realization of compassion in students over the period of the course by enhancing their capacity to be self-compassionate and by actualization of compassion that had previously been suppressed.