Developing Empathy and Motivation Through an Arts-Based Project: A Mixed-Methods Study on Addressing Gaps in Nursing...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Mental Health Research
• Arts and Health

Background:

• Suicide causes 700,000 deaths annually, per the World Health Organisation (WHO).
• Effective suicide risk assessment is a critical nursing competency.
• Empathy and compassion are vital for effective patient communication during risk assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To co-design and evaluate an Arts Health education program for pre-registration nursing students.
• To enhance nursing students' ability to conduct suicide and self-harm risk assessments.
• To integrate an evidence-based short film into nursing curricula.

Main Methods:

• A multiple-methods study evaluating an Arts Health education program for second-year pre-registration nursing students.
• Concurrent collection of quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (open-ended questions) data.
• Development of an engaging, evidence-based short film in collaboration with artists and clinicians.

Main Results:

• Quantitative data indicated that debriefing sessions fostered reflection, peer learning, and critical thinking.
• Qualitative analysis revealed four key themes: importance of risk assessment questions, making connections, developing empathy, and desire for further learning.
• The program improved students' understanding of risk assessment and provided a safe practice environment.

Conclusions:

• The Arts Health education program effectively deepened nursing students' understanding of suicide risk assessment.
• The program fostered essential skills in empathy and compassion for conducting sensitive clinical assessments.
• Mastering suicide risk assessment is crucial for all nurses to ensure patient safety.