https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2095-8836
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Abstract
Background: Empathy is a key skill for nurses for providing high-quality care.
Aims: To adapt and explore the psychometric properties of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) for nursing students in a sample of Spanish nurses, to analyse the empathy levels and to provide some percentiles for interpreting empathy levels.
Methods: Factor structure was evaluated with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA, CFA), and reliability was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability (CR), and average variance extracted (AVE) in a convenience sample of 500 Spanish nurses.
Results: The definitive model composed of 15 items grouped into three factors presented good psychometric properties. Levels of empathy in the sample can be considered high.
Conclusion: The study provides a reliable and valid instrument to measure levels of empathy in nurses in the Spanish context.
Impact Statement: The instrument is suitable for assessing educational needs, and evaluating the effectiveness of training programmes.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to all the nurses who participated in this study.
Author contributions
All authors have made substantial contributions to all of the following: (1) the conception and design of the study, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data, (2) drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content, (3) final approval of the version to be submitted.
Impact of statement
Empathy could be measured to assess the quality of nursing care and the effectiveness of education programmes designed to enhance empathy. There are inconsistencies between studies measuring empathy in nursing research, indicating the need for a rigorous evaluation of the tools in use.