PRISM :: Browsing by Author "Sinclair, Shane"

Browsing by Author "Sinclair, Shane"

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Open Access
6-STEPPs: A Modular Tool to Facilitate Clinician Participation in Fair Decisions for Funding New Cancer Drugs
(2008) Sinclair, Shane; Browman, George P.; Manns, Braden; Hagen, Neil; Chambers, Carole R.; Simon, Anita
To design a tool to assist clinician participation with cancer drug funding decisions. Public policy-makers and insurers are struggling with funding decisions regarding increasingly expensive new cancer drugs. Increasingly, oncologists are contributing to the process of review that leads to such decisions. We were asked to design a system for ranking new cancer drugs for priority-based funding decisions.
Open Access
A pilot evaluation of the Strengthening a Palliative Approach in Long-Term Care (SPA-LTC) program
(2020-07-13) Kaasalainen, Sharon; Sussman, Tamara; Thompson, Genevieve; McCleary, Lynn; Hunter, Paulette V; Venturato, Lorraine; Wickson-Griffiths, Abigail; Ploeg, Jenny; Parker, Deborah; Sinclair, Shane; Dal Bello-Haas, Vanina; Earl, Marie; You, John J.
Abstract Background Despite increased annual mortality in long-term care (LTC) homes, research has shown that care of dying residents and their families is currently suboptimal in these settings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate resident and family outcomes associated with the Strengthening a Palliative Approach in LTC (SPA-LTC) program, developed to help encourage meaningful end of life discussions and planning. Methods The study employs a mixed method design in four LTC homes across Southern Ontario. Data were collected from residents and families of the LTC homes through chart reviews, interviews, and focus groups. Interviews with family who attended a Palliative Care Conference included both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Results In total, 39 residents/families agreed to participate in the study. Positive intervention outcomes included a reduction in the proportion of emergency department use at end of life and hospital deaths for those participating in SPA-LTC, improved support for families, and increased family involvement in the care of residents. For families who attended a Palliative Care Conference, both quantitative and qualitative findings revealed that families benefited from attending them. Residents stated that they appreciated learning about a palliative approach to care and being informed about their current status. Conclusions The benefits of SPA-LTC for residents and families justify its continued use within LTC. Study results also suggest that certain enhancements of the program could further promote future integration of best practices within a palliative approach to care within the LTC context. However, the generalizability of these results across LTC homes in different regions and countries is limited given the small sample size.
Open Access
Assessing the credibility and transferability of the patient compassion model in non-cancer palliative populations
(2018-09-13) Sinclair, Shane; Jaggi, Priya; Hack, Thomas F.; McClement, Susan E.; Raffin-Bouchal, Shelley; Singh, Pavneet
Abstract Background A lack of evidence and psychometrically sound measures of compassion necessitated the development of the first known, empirically derived, theoretical Patient Compassion Model (PCM) generated from qualitative interviews with advanced cancer inpatients. We aimed to assess the credibility and transferability of the PCM across diverse palliative populations and settings. Methods Semi-structured, audio-recorded qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 patients with life-limiting diagnoses, recruited from 4 settings (acute care, homecare, residential care, and hospice). Participants were first asked to share their understandings and experiences of compassion. They were then presented with an overview of the PCM and asked to determine whether: 1) the model resonated with their understanding and experiences of compassion; 2) the model required any modification(s); 3) they had further insights on the model’s domains and/or themes. Members of the research team analyzed the qualitative data using constant comparative analysis. Results Both patients’ personal perspectives of compassion prior to viewing the model and their specific feedback after being provided an overview of the model confirmed the credibility and transferability of the PCM. While new codes were incorporated into the original coding schema, no new domains or themes emerged from this study sample. These additional codes provided a more comprehensive understanding of the nuances within the domains and themes of the PCM that will aid in the generation of items for an ongoing study to develop a patient reported measure of compassion. Conclusions A diverse palliative patient population confirmed the credibility and transferability of the PCM within palliative care, extending the rigour and applicability of the PCM that was originally developed within an advanced cancer population. The views of a diverse palliative patient population on compassion helped to validate previous codes and supplement the existing coding schema, informing the development of a guiding framework for the generation of a patient-reported measure of compassion.
Open Access
Can Self-Compassion Promote Healthcare Provider Well-Being and Compassionate Care to Others? Results of a Systematic Review
(Wiley, 2017-04) Sinclair, Shane; Kondejewski, Jane; Raffin-Bouchal, Shelley; King-Shier, Kathryn M; Singh, Pavneet
Background This meta-narrative review, conducted according to the RAMESES (Realist And Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards) standards, critically examines the construct of self-compassion to determine if it is an accurate target variable to mitigate work-related stress and promote compassionate caregiving in healthcare providers. Methods PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched. Studies were coded as referring to: (1) conceptualisation of self-compassion; (2) measures of self-compassion; (3) self-compassion and affect; and (4) self-compassion interventions. A narrative approach was used to evaluate self-compassion as a paradigm. Results Sixty-nine studies were included. The construct of self-compassion in healthcare has significant limitations. Self-compassion has been related to the definition of compassion, but includes limited facets of compassion and adds elements of uncompassionate behavior. Empirical studies use the Self-Compassion Scale, which is criticised for its psychometric and theoretical validity. Therapeutic interventions purported to cultivate self-compassion may have a broader effect on general affective states. An alleged outcome of self-compassion is compassionate care; however, we found no studies that included patient reports on this primary outcome. Conclusion We critically examine and delineate self-compassion in healthcare providers as a composite of common facets of self-care, healthy self-attitude, and self-awareness rather than a construct in and of itself.
Open Access
Collective soul: The spirituality of an interdisciplinary palliative care team
(2006) Sinclair, Shane; Raffin, Shelley; Pereira, Jose; Guebert, Nancy
Although spirituality as it relates to patients is gaining increasing attention, less is known about how health care professionals ~HCP! experience spirituality personally or collectively in the workplace. This study explores the collective spirituality of an interdisciplinary palliative care team, by studying how individuals felt about their own spirituality, whether there was a shared sense of a team spirituality, how spirituality related to the care the team provided to patients and whether they felt that they provided spiritual care. A qualitative autoethnographic approach was used. The study was conducted in a 10-bed Tertiary Palliative Care Unit ~TPCU! in a large acute-care referral hospital and cancer center. Interdisciplinary team members of the TPCU were invited to participate in one-to-one interviews and0or focus groups. Five interviews and three focus groups were conducted with a total of 20 participants.
Open Access
Coming Alongside a Patient Throughout their Cancer Journey: A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Cancer Patient Navigation from the Perspective of Registered Nurses in the Navigator Role
(2017) Vimy, Kristina; Raffin Bouchal, Shelley; Watson, Linda; Sinclair, Shane
Cancer patient navigation has become an important aspect of cancer care to support and guide patients through the health care system. In Canada, registered nurses commonly take on this role. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the process of cancer patient navigation from the perspective of registered nurses who work in the navigator role. Using constructivist grounded theory methodology, I interviewed nine cancer patient navigators in the province of Alberta, to examine their experiences and perspectives of their role. I analyzed the data using constant comparison and six interrelated categories emerged. This analysis led to the co-construction of the theory of Coming Alongside a Patient Throughout Their Cancer Journey. Findings from this study bring a new understanding of navigation as a process and highlight a different conceptualization of time, which sets this study apart from other research.
Open Access
Compassion in Health Care: An Empirical Model
(2016-02) Sinclair, Shane; McClement, Susan; Raffin-Bouchal, Shelley; Hack, Thomas F.; Hagen, Jack A.; McConnell, Shelagh; Chochinov, Harvey Max
Compassion is frequently referenced as a hallmark of quality care by patients, health care providers, health care administrators, and policy makers. Despite its putative centrality, including its institution in recent health care reform, an empirical understanding based on the perspectives of patients, the recipients of compassion, is lacking -making compassion one of the most referenced yet poorly understood elements of quality care.
Open Access
Compassion in healthcare: an updated scoping review of the literature
(2022-05-18) Malenfant, Sydney; Jaggi, Priya; Hayden, K. A.; Sinclair, Shane
Abstract Background A previous review on compassion in healthcare (1988-2014) identified several empirical studies and their limitations. Given the large influx and the disparate nature of the topic within the healthcare literature over the past 5 years, the objective of this study was to provide an update to our original scoping review to provide a current and comprehensive map of the literature to guide future research and to identify gaps and limitations that remain unaddressed. Methods Eight electronic databases along with the grey literature were searched to identify empirical studies published between 2015 and 2020. Of focus were studies that aimed to explore compassion within the clinical setting, or interventions or educational programs for improving compassion, sampling clinicians and/or patient populations. Following title and abstract review, two reviewers independently screened full-text articles, and performed data extraction. Utilizing a narrative synthesis approach, data were mapped onto the categories, themes, and subthemes that were identified in the original review. Newly identified categories were discussed among the team until consensus was achieved. Results Of the 14,166 number of records identified, 5263 remained after removal of duplicates, and 50 articles were included in the final review. Studies were predominantly conducted in the UK and were qualitative in design. In contrast to the original review, a larger number of studies sampled solely patients (n = 12), and the remainder focused on clinicians (n = 27) or a mix of clinicians and other (e.g. patients and/or family members) (n = 11). Forty-six studies explored perspectives on the nature of compassion or compassionate behaviours, traversing six themes: nature of compassion, development of compassion, interpersonal factors related to compassion, action and practical compassion, barriers and enablers of compassion, and outcomes of compassion. Four studies reported on the category of educational or clinical interventions, a notable decrease compared to the 10 studies identified in the original review. Conclusions Since the original scoping review on compassion in healthcare, while a greater number of studies incorporated patient perspectives, clinical or educational interventions appeared to be limited. More efficacious and evidence-based interventions or training programs tailored towards improving compassion for patients in healthcare is required.
Open Access
Compassion training in healthcare: what are patients' perspectives on training healthcare providers?
(BioMed Central, 2016) Sinclair, Shane; Torres, Mia-Bernadine; Raffin-Bouchal, Shelley; Hack, Thomas F; McClement, Susan; Hagen, Neil A; Chochinov, Harvey M
Background: The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate advanced cancer patients’ perspectives on the importance, feasibility, teaching methods, and issues associated with training healthcare providers in compassionate care. Methods: This study utilized grounded theory, a qualitative research method, to develop an empirical understanding of compassion education rooted in direct patient reports. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain an in-depth understanding of compassion training from the perspectives of hospitalized advanced cancer patients (n = 53). Data were analyzed in accordance with grounded theory to determine the key elements of the underlying theory. Results: Three overarching categories and associated themes emerged from the data: compassion aptitude, cultivating compassion, and training methods. Participants spoke of compassion as an innate quality embedded in the character of learners prior to their healthcare training, which could be nurtured through experiential learning and reflective practices. Patients felt that the innate qualities that learners possessed at baseline were further fashioned by personal and practice experiences, and vocational motivators. Participants also provided recommendations for compassion training, including developing an interpersonal relationship with patients, seeing the patient as a person, and developing a human connection. Teaching methods that patients suggested in compassion training included patient-centered communication, self-reflection exercises, and compassionate role modeling. Conclusions: This study provides insight on compassion training for both current and future healthcare providers, from the perspectives of the end recipients of healthcare provider training – patients. Developing a theoretical base for patient centred, evidence-informed, compassion training is a crucial initial step toward the further development of this core healthcare competency.
Open Access
Compassion training in healthcare: what are patients' perspectives on training healthcare providers?
(2016-07) Sinclair, Shane; Torres, Mia-Bernadine; Raffin-Bouchal, Shelley; Hack, Thomas F.; McClement, Susan; Hagen, Neil A.; Chochinov, Harvey M.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate advanced cancer patients’ perspectives on the importance, feasibility, teaching methods, and issues associated with training healthcare providers in compassionate care
Open Access
Compassion: a scoping review of the healthcare literature
(2016-07) Sinclair, Shane; Norris, Jill M.; McConnell, Shelagh J.; Chochinov, Harvey Max; Hack, Thomas F.; Hagen, Neil A.; McClement, Susan; Bouchal, Shelley Raffin
Recent concerns about suboptimal patient care and a lack of compassion have prompted policymakers to question the preparedness of clinicians for the challenging environment in which they practice. Compassionate care is expected by patients and is a professional obligation of clinicians; however, little is known about the state of research on clinical compassion. The purpose of this scoping review was to map the literature on compassion in clinical healthcare.
Open Access
Compassion: a scoping review of the healthcare literature
(BMC Palliative Care, 2016-01-19) Sinclair, Shane; Norris, Jill M.; McConnell, Shelagh J.; Chochinov, Harvey M.; Hack, Thomas F.; Hagen, Neil A.; McClement, Susan; Bouchal, Shelley Raffin
Background Recent concerns about suboptimal patient care and a lack of compassion have prompted policymakers to question the preparedness of clinicians for the challenging environment in which they practice. Compassionate care is expected by patients and is a professional obligation of clinicians; however, little is known about the state of research on clinical compassion. The purpose of this scoping review was to map the literature on compassion in clinical healthcare. Methods Searches of eight electronic databases and the grey literature were conducted to identify empirical studies published over the last 25 years. Eligible studies explored perceptions or interventions of compassionate care in clinical populations, healthcare professionals, and healthcare students. Following the title and abstract review, two reviewers independently screened full-texts articles, and extracted study data. A narrative approach to synthesizing and mapping the literature was used. Results and discussion Of 36,637 records, 648 studies were retrieved and 44 studies were included in the review. Less than one third of studies included patients. Six themes emerged from studies that explored perceptions of compassionate care: nature of compassion, development of compassion, interpersonal factors related to compassion, action and practical compassion, barriers and enablers of compassion, and outcomes of compassion. Intervention studies included two compassionate care trials with patients and eight educational programs that aimed to improve compassionate care in clinicians and students. Conclusions This review identifies the limited empirical understanding of compassion in healthcare, highlighting the lack of patient and family voices in compassion research. A deeper understanding of the key behaviors and attitudes that lead to improved patient-reported outcomes through compassionate care is necessary.
Open Access
The Educational Needs of Professional Hospice Staff: An Ethnographic Inquiry
(2021-08-26) Mason, Andrea; Raffin-Bouchal, Shelley; Sinclair, Shane; Ginn, Carla; Venturato, Lorraine
Hospice care delivered by an interdisciplinary team of professional staff includes care of those individuals with a life-limiting illness and a prognosis of days to a few months. It serves a variety of individuals with a combination of multiple diseases and co-morbidities and provides support for their families. A skilled health workforce is needed to deliver quality hospice and palliative care services. Inconsistencies in hospice staff knowledge and provided education have been identified locally in Alberta and across Canada. In previous studies, hospice nurses have identified knowledge deficits in pain and symptom management, psychological and spiritual care, and communication with dying patients. This research, engaging a focused ethnographic methodology, occurred at a local 26-bed hospice. I immersed myself in the hospice culture and in the research process to understand ways that the culture of hospice care can shape the educational needs of professional hospice staff. Data consisted of semi-structured interviews of hospice staff key participants, observations of interdisciplinary hospice professionals during their daily work, examination of hospice cultural documents and artifacts, and the writing of field notes over three months. The study findings suggest that at the core of the hospice staff educational needs lies three primary themes: communication as an essential foundation of quality care; interdisciplinary collaboration is vital for team cohesiveness and lastly, the central care philosophy utilized by the hospice interdisciplinary team is person/resident and family-centered care. These findings offer suggestions for hospice education and further research. Relational care is foundational for this philosophy, with trusting relationships at the forefront of care.
Open Access
Emotional Risk-Taking in Romantic Relationships
(2019-12-20) Turnbull, Katherine; Ellard, John H.; Boon, Susan D.; Szeto, Andrew C.H.; Sinclair, Shane
This study explores the phenomenon of emotional risk-taking (ERT), a component of self-disclosure that has exclusively been addressed in counseling, social work, and behavioral therapy literature. Brown (2012) has developed a theoretical rationale stating that individuals who embrace vulnerability (i.e., ERT) experience a deeper connection with others. Brown’s views are influential for the themes within the study, especially distinguishing trust from ERT. ERT is examined in the context of romantic relationships, as self-disclosure has been proposed to be one of the most critical influences of intimacy. Participants (N = 290) were recruited via Prolific, an academic survey host. The participant’s ages ranged from 18-74 years old (M = 33.47, SD = 10.57), with 54.1% identifying as female, 44.8% identifying as male, .7% identifying as non-binary, and .3% preferring not to disclose. The durations of the romantic relationships ranged from 6 months to 54 years (M = 9.11, SD = 8.53). Participants completed open-ended questions concerning a hypothetical scenario necessitating emotional risk-taking. Participants also completed measures of trust, intimacy, guilt and shame, ERT, and self-disclosure. Findings indicated positive relationships between ERT, trust, intimacy, and self-disclosure. As well, moderation and mediation analyses were conducted, indicating that ERT, as predicted, partially mediates the relationship between self-disclosure and intimacy. In addition, self-disclosure, along with ERT, mediated the relationship between trust and intimacy. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.
Open Access
Engaging in the "How to Care, What to Say" Grief and Loss Workshop: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study
(2018-04-20) Leteta, Barbara Ann; Raffin Bouchal, Shelley; Sinclair, Shane; Berg, Beverly
The purpose of this study was to evaluate an Alberta Health Services grief education workshop offered to health care providers through the Grief Support Program titled, “How to Care, What to Say.” The goal of the workshop was to improve delivery of care for dying and deceased persons by providing holistic care to the family before, during, and after the death of a loved one. This was the only ongoing grief support workshop offered within the Calgary Zone to provide theory and practical information for health care providers caring for grieving patients and families at the end of life. Written evaluations of the grief workshop were reviewed and illuminated the need to understand how learning of grief theory and intervention occurred in practice. Therefore, a qualitative research study was conducted using Constructivist Grounded Theory to interview past participants of “How to Care, What to Say” workshop and who cared for grieving individuals/families. Individual interviews and a focus group revealed how participants perceived the learnings from the workshop and transferred their knowledge from the workshop to practice. Data analysis uncovered themes which led to the overarching theory for implementation of the workshop into practice: A relational process of understanding knowledge, self-awareness, advancing grief competencies, and moral responsibilities of providing holistic grief support. Research findings included the usefulness and meaningfulness of the grief program, effective teaching and learning processes, a need for increased application based exercises, and ideas for development of advanced grief workshops to improve health care providers’ comfort and competence to provide grief support.
Open Access
Evaluating Affective Competency in Undergraduate Nursing: An Interpretive Description
(2017) Mill, Megan; Carr, Eloise; Seneviratne, Cydnee; O'Rae, Amanda; Sinclair, Shane
Background: The Registered Nurse role requires competency of the affective domain; demonstrated by the ability to listen, respond to interactions, demonstrate appropriate attitudes, and display commitment. There is a paucity of research exploring the evaluation of student nurses’ competency in this domain. Aim: To explore how clinical nursing instructors evaluate students’ affective competency. Methods: 12 instructors from a large urban university were interviewed and data was analyzed using qualitative interpretive description methodology. Findings: Affective competency is highly valued in nursing, lacks consensus in definition, exists in a hidden curriculum, and is assessed through observation, dialogue and reflective writing. Explicit connections between assessment and evaluation are lacking. Discussion: Clinical nurse instructors are gatekeepers to the nursing profession. Affective competency is observed rather than evaluated, and an ontological turn in nurse education might change the motivation for affective evaluation; away from competency and toward being a nurse. Word Limit:
Open Access
Exploring Medical Assistance in Dying and Moral Distress in Western Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Nurses: An Interpretive Description Study
(2023-11-20) Dorman, Jennifer Denise; Raffin Bouchal, Donna Shelley; Sinclair, Shane; Wasylenko, Eric
Background: The prohibition against medical assistance in dying (MAiD) was removed from the Criminal Code in specific circumstances in Canada in 2016. Several moral and ethical questions arose from this decision. Gaps in the literature unearthed by this monumental shift in healthcare practice included how moral distress and moral uncertainty were conceptualized in the context of MAiD; what the discourse around death and dying in Canada looked like given this change; and whether hospice palliative care (HPC) nurses were experiencing moral distress when their patients requested, contemplated, or completed MAiD in a hospice setting. Methodology and methods: A simultaneous concept analysis of moral distress and moral uncertainty in the context of MAiD was undertaken, followed by an integrative literature review to better understand the discourse of dying in Canada around MAiD, as well as the relationship amongst MAiD, HPC, and suffering. An interpretive description study was completed regarding HPC nurses, MAiD, and moral distress in the setting of hospice. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 10 hospice palliative care nurses in a single province in Western Canada prior to thematic analysis and development of practice recommendations. Results: Moral distress in the context of MAiD focuses on nurses perceiving they know the right course of action to take but being unable to act in concert with their moral intuitions. Moral uncertainty centers on an inability to decide on which course of action to take or knowing what outcome is preferable. Four main themes were identified in the literature: the relationship between MAiD and HPC; suffering in the context of MAiD; moral distress and moral uncertainty in providing or not providing MAiD; and future research recommendations. HPC nurses described how MAiD requests could cause moral distress, but that moral distress was most often centered on hospice policies and procedures that influenced their relationships with and nursing practice around patients seeking MAiD. Conclusions: Hospice nurses struggle to provide high-quality HPC and participate meaningfully in MAiD due to several factors, including hospice policies and procedures. The gap between the care they want to provide and are able to provide results in moral distress. Recommendations for practice to reduce moral distress include revisiting policies and procedures, improving communication between the hospice and MAiD Teams, and supporting debriefing and further education around MAiD are offered.
Open Access
Exploring the Experiences of Social Workers Using Spirituality in Their Practice
(2022-04) Ciesielski, Jill; Walsh, Christine; Hewson, Jennifer; Gulbrandsen, Carolyn; Sinclair, Shane
Despite decades of discussion, spirituality remains a neglected area of social work education and practice. This study explored the experiences and perspectives of seven social work practitioners in Alberta who are actively incorporating spirituality into their practice through qualitative interviews. The findings indicated the ways these practitioners are using spirituality in their direct work with clients, the relationship between their own personal spirituality and their work, and the ways in which their specific practice context influences their use of spirituality in practice. Despite a lack of guidance with respect to spirituality in their social work education and training, participants were drawing on their own experiences and resources to inform their use of spirituality in practice. While this highlighted the resourcefulness of the participants, it also raised ethical questions about the implications of this more broadly within the social work profession. Implications for social work education, practice, and policy and recommendations for future research are also outlined.
Open Access
Factors associated with post-traumatic growth, quality of life, and spiritual well-being in outpatients undergoing bone marrow transplantation: a pilot study
(2016-02) Sinclair, Shane; Booker, Reanne; Fung, Tak; Raffin-Boucha, Shelley; Enns, Bert; Beamer, Kate; Ager, Naree
Purpose/Objectives: To examine the relationships between spiritual, religious, and sociodemographic factors and post-traumatic growth, quality of life, and spiritual well-being in outpatients undergoing bone marrow and/or stem cell transplantation (BMSCT). Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory. Setting: Outpatient bone marrow transplantation clinic at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Sample: 100 patients (21 pre-BMSCT and 79 post-BMSCT) accrued consecutively via nonprobability sampling. Methods: Study participants completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy– Bone Marrow Transplantation (FACT-BMT), the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-Sp), and a demographic questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t tests, and correlational analyses. Main Research Variables: Demographic variables, FACT-BMT scores, PTGI scores, FACITSp scores. Findings: The majority of participants identified themselves as being at least somewhat spiritual. Significant differences were noted between those who identified as being not religious at all versus having at least some religiosity in several subscales of the PTGI, as well as on the FACIT-Sp. Similarly, significant differences were observed between participants who identified as being not spiritual at all versus having at least some spirituality for several subscales on the PTGI. Most participants indicated they would be at least somewhat likely to recommend spiritual care to a new patient. Conclusions: Most patients in this study within a publicly funded healthcare system selfidentified with spirituality, used spiritual resources, and would recommend that other patients undergoing BMSCT seek the support of a spiritual care professional or chaplain. Spirituality, along with practical and relational factors, had a positive impact on certain aspects of post-traumatic growth, quality of life, and spiritual and physical well-being. Implications for Nursing: Oncology nurses are encouraged to routinely address spiritual issues. Findings from this study suggest that spirituality is not only important to patients undergoing BMSCT, but also may be an integral component of patients’ post-traumatic growth, quality of life, and spiritual well-being.
Open Access
Healthcare providers perspectives on compassion training: a grounded theory study
(2020-08-05) Sinclair, Shane; Hack, Thomas F; McClement, Susan; Raffin-Bouchal, Shelley; Chochinov, Harvey M; Hagen, Neil A
Abstract Background There is little concrete guidance on how to train current and future healthcare providers (HCPs) in the core competency of compassion. This study was undertaken using Straussian grounded theory to address the question: “What are healthcare providers’ perspectives on training current and future HCPs in compassion?” Methods Fifty-seven HCPs working in palliative care participated in this study, beginning with focus groups with frontline HCPs (n = 35), followed by one-on-one interviews with HCPs who were considered by their peers to be skilled in providing compassion (n = 15, three of whom also participated in the initial focus groups), and end of study focus groups with study participants (n = 5) and knowledge users (n = 10). Results Study participants largely agreed that compassionate behaviours can be taught, and these behaviours are distinct from the emotional response of compassion. They noted that while learners can develop greater compassion through training, their ability to do so varies depending on the innate qualities they possess prior to training. Participants identified three facets of an effective compassion training program: self-awareness, experiential learning and effective and affective communication skills. Participants also noted that healthcare faculties, facilities and organizations play an important role in creating compassionate practice settings and sustaining HCPs in their delivery of compassion. Conclusions Providing compassion has become a core expectation of healthcare and a hallmark of quality palliative care. This study provides guidance on the importance, core components and teaching methods of compassion training from the perspectives of those who aim to provide it—Healthcare Providers—serving as a foundation for future evidence based educational interventions.