Nursing Students’ Empathic Behaviors toward Ostomy Patients through Patient Simulation Experiences with a Stoma Appliance

Abstract

〔Purpose〕The purpose of this study was to clarify nursing students’ empathic behaviors toward ostomy patients through the simulation experiences as an ostomate with an attached stoma appliance.

〔Method〕Subjects were five nursing students in the experimental group and five nursing students as controls. Both groups attended the lecture about stoma care. Afterwards, only the experimental group attached a stoma appliance, and daily life proceeded. Both groups cared for a patient simulating an ostomate. Students’ behaviors were analyzed using a qualitative inductive method.

〔Result and discussion〕The student’s empathic behaviors toward the ostomate were divided into two tendencies：the main feature was that students’ empathic behaviors only appeared among the experimental group. The students in the experimental group were able to convey their empathy verbally when the simulated patients experienced difficulties. Placing their hands on the patient’s body or affected areas, the students observed the patient. They empathized with the patient’s discomfort and feelings and attempted to ease patient’s difficulties.

　This study suggested that patient simulation experiences are effective and expedient for nursing students in developing empathy for patients if the simulation learning program contents and timing are carefully considered.