Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected the Compassion Competence of Midwifery Students?

Abstract

Objective: This research aims to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the compassion competencies of midwifery students. Materials and Method: This study was conducted as a descriptive study. No sample selection was performed in the study. A total of 365 students have taken part in the study and represent 80% of the population. The student descriptive form and the Compassion Competence Scale were used in the study. The student descriptive form includes questions about students’ grade, age, status of liking the profession, COVID-19, and contact with patients. Results: No statistical difference was identified between the Compassion Competence level according to the grades of midwifery students (p>0.05). The compassion mean score of students with COVID-19 was 3.97±0.56, and the compassion mean score of students without COVID-19 was 3.88±0.71. No significant differene was found between students with and without COVID-19 (p>0.05). It was revealed that 26.6% of the students did not want to participate in the treatment during the COVID-19 period. The students stated that the fear of being infected ranked first (46.8%) among the reasons for experiencing stress in clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The compassion levels of nursing students were found to be high. The COVID-19 period did not affect students’ compassion competence adversely.