Ethical Sensitivity and Empathy among Nursing Students at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences: A Correlational Study

Abstract

Ethical sensitivity affects the moral performance and relationship of nursing students with their clients. On the other hand, moral burnout may be associated with reduced empathy during their training course. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between moral sensitivity and empathy for clients among nursing students. In this correlational study, 200 nursing students were randomly selected from Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in 2020 and completed demographic questionnaires based on Lutzen’s concept of moral sensitivity and Jefferson’s scale of empathy. Data were analysed by means of a t-test, one-way analysis of variance and a Pearson correlation coefficient using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS-24). The mean age of the nursing students was 23 ± 2.5 years, and most of them were male (60%) and in the fourth academic year (39.5%). The mean score of moral sensitivity was 88.9 ± 9.9, and students’ empathy was 92.3 ± 6.5. There was a direct and significant correlation between the variables (P = 0.001, r = 0.392). Also, a significant and indirect correlation was observed between the number of semesters passed and the degree of empathy shown to clients (P = 0.037, r = -0.14). Moral sensitivity among nursing students at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences is desirable, and there is a relationship between moral sensitivity and showing empathy to clients. It was also revealed that students’ empathy levels towards clients decrease with increasing semesters. Decreasing the amount of empathy over time can affect the care of patients, so this component can be given more attention in the training of future nurses.