Evaluation of empathy in nursing practice in the emergency department of Hassan II University Hospital Center in Fez
Yousef Faraj, Tadlaoui Hbibi Ali, Zeggwagh Ali NaoufalAbstract
Objective
To assess empathy using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professional (JSE-HP) and to identify the factors influencing nurses’ empathy in the emergency department.
Methods
This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 74 nurses working in the emergency department of CHU Hassan II in Fez from December 2024 to January 2025. Data were collected using a questionnaire composed of 2 sections: socio-demographic data and the JSE-HP, which consists of 20 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale. The maximum possible score was 140, while the minimum was 20. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS statistical analysis software.
Results
The mean score on the JSE-HP for nurses working in the emergency department was 97.68. Regarding bivariate analysis, it was observed that only age ( P = 0.01), professional experience ( P = 0.04), and experience in the emergency department ( P = 0.03) were significantly associated with empathy. The mean JSE-HP score observed in this study was 97.68 ± 18.03. In the absence of a universally established cut-off value for the JSE-HP, the results are interpreted descriptively and in comparison with similar studies.
Conclusions
These findings suggest a relatively satisfactory level of empathy among nurses. However, there remains a need to further promote and strengthen empathy through interventional studies.