Emotional Touch Nursing Competencies Model of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Instrument Validation Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Technology Integration
• Human-Computer Interaction in Healthcare

Background:

• The Fourth Industrial Revolution integrates AI, IoT, and big data in healthcare, increasing demand for rapid treatment.
• Nursing faces challenges balancing technological efficiency with essential empathy and emotional connection.
• A need exists for a framework to guide emotional touch nursing in evolving healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a competency model for emotional touch nursing.
• To verify the reliability and validity of the developed model.

Main Methods:

• A literature review and expert interviews informed the conceptual framework and construct factors.
• 20 experts confirmed potential competencies, leading to preliminary question development.
• Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (N=511) assessed scale validity and reliability.

Main Results:

• Exploratory analysis yielded 8 factors and 38 items, including client-centered practice, learning agility, professional commitment, self-worth, ethics, competence, nurse-client relationship, and sensitivity.
• Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed.
• High internal consistency reliability was achieved (Cronbach's α=0.95).

Conclusions:

• The developed scale demonstrates sufficient validity and reliability for measuring emotional touch nursing competencies.
• This model is expected to inform the creation of knowledge and educational systems for emotional touch nursing.
• It provides a framework for maintaining compassionate care amidst technological advancements in nursing.