Authors
1 Qazvin University of Medical Science
2 Tehran University of Medical Science
Abstract
Introduction: Empathy appears to be an important concept in the interpersonal repertoire of
nurses. A number of definitions and models of empathy are available in the literature. The aim of
this paper was to analyze the concept of empathy using Rodger's evolutionary concept analysis
Method: Keywords of empathy and nursing were searched in Cumulative Index to Nursing and
Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ProQuest, PsycINFO, Social Sciences Index, ScienceDirect,
Scopus, and Medline databases. Articles published during the last 15 years in any of these
databases were examined. Rodger's evolutionary concept analysis was used to identify major
themes, areas of agreement and disagreement across disciplines, changes in the concept over
time, and emerging trends.
Results: Five conceptualizations of empathy including empathy as a human trait, empathy as a
professional state, empathy as a communication process, empathy as caring, and empathy as a
special relationship were revealed.
Conclusion: Nursing, as a profession, must have an independent analysis of empathy in its
context.
Keywords
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