Abstract

Background: Cardiac outpatient care clinics for patients with coronary artery disease is effective in optimizing function and quality of life, as well as increased adherence to care. Focus is on secondary prevention with the aim of preventing recurrence of cardiovascular disease. Person-centered care is an effective way to go and empathy is an important component in it. There is very little research on patients' perception of the nurse's empathy in secondary preventive work. Aim: To investigate the patients' perception of the nurses' empathy in a cardiac outpatient clinic. Method: A quantitative cross-sectional study with a correlative and comparative design was conducted in a coronary care clinic. Data collection was carried out using a validated measurement instrument - Consultation and Relational Empathy scale (CARE) which was answered in close connection with patients visit to a nurse. Results: 74 patients participated, mean age 70 years, 62 were men (84%). The empathetic treatment was rated by the patients as very good (43 out of 50 points). No significant difference was demonstrated between gender, nor between age and estimation scores. Patients with lower education rated the empathetic treatment higher. Conclusion: The empathy of the nurses is rated as good. The scores can be related to patients' level of education but not to gender or age. Increased awareness of empathetic treatment by healthcare staff is of value in secondary preventive work to strengthen patients' ability to self-care. The CARE scale is simple and can be advantageously used as a continued quality follow-up of care provided at cardiac outpatient care.

Keywords: CARE, Coronary artery clinic, Empathy, Person-centered care, Secondary prevention