Empathy among male and female nurses in India: an analytical cross-sectional study

Empathy is crucial for delivering patient-centred nursing care, involving understanding, and sharing the feelings of others. It is fundamental for effective nurse-patient communication and its positive outcomes. This study aims to assess and compare empathy levels among male and female nurses in India.

A cross-sectional design was employed, involving 428 registered nursing officers from India. The primary data collection instrument was the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession (JSE-HP) version, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic information. Independent samples t-tests compared empathy scores between genders, and multiple linear regression identified factors associated with empathy levels.

No significant difference was found in total empathy scores between male (M = 106.29, SD = 18.35) and female nurses (M = 104.20, SD = 18.96) (p = 0.25). Regression analysis revealed that educational qualification significantly influenced empathy levels (B = -0.126, p = 0.034), with higher qualifications associated with lower empathy.

Empathy levels are similar between male and female nurses, with a notable difference in the Compassionate Care domain. Incorporating continuous empathy training, enhancing self-esteem, and promoting cultural competence are critical steps to ensure that nurses develop and maintain high levels of empathy throughout their careers. Addressing these aspects in nursing curricula will ultimately lead to better patient care and improved healthcare outcomes.

Not applicable.