Empathy and Humanistic Care Ability in Oncology Nurses: The Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence

ABSTRACT

Aim

To investigate the level of humanistic care ability of oncology nurses, its association with empathy and emotional intelligence, and the mediative role of emotional intelligence on empathy and humanistic caring ability.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a cancer hospital in China.

Methods

We enrolled a total of 1189 oncology nurses from several cancer hospitals from December 2023 to January 2024. All participants completed three general questionnaires: the Caring Ability Inventory, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professionals and the Emotional Intelligence Scale.

Results

The overall scores for the three scales were 202.35 ± 23.89, 112.38 ± 18.85 and 137.49 ± 17.81, respectively. A positive correlation was detected between caring ability, empathy and emotional intelligence (r = 0.741, p < 0.001; r = 0.577, p < 0.001). And emotional intelligence mediates the association between empathy and caring ability in oncology nurses (0.233, p < 0.001). The total and direct effect were also significant (0.825, p < 0.001; 0.592, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The study findings indicated that oncology nurses exhibit a moderate level of caring ability. Emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between empathy and caring ability, at least in part. Therefore, an increase in the level of emotional intelligence in oncology nurses could improve their caring ability.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

When designing training to improve humanistic care, we recommend the integration of specific training relating to empathy and emotional intelligence into the training system.

Impact

Oncology patients experience multiple forms of distress and require high-quality humanistic care. This study identified a moderate association between empathy and emotional intelligence. Our findings provide further recommendations for nurse leaders in medical institutions relating to how the humanistic care ability of oncology nurses can be improved by specific training in empathy and emotional intelligence.

Reporting Method

This study was reported using the STROBE Checklist for cross-sectional studies.

Patient or Public Contribution

Nurse leaders organised this survey in their own hospital.