Empathy as the essence in the care rendered to the client by the nursing team in a basic health unit

Abstract

Nursing is considered the art of caring.
In this sense, empathy, which is an essential ability
of caring, is deemed to be an essential component
of client rendered treatment. Scientific knowledge
and nursing professional’s technical skill are
important, but they will not be enough if that
professional does not have a good interpersonal
relationship, is not emphatic and assertive. It is
necessary that the nursing finds the balance between
the scientific knowledge and the humanistic behavior
practice. The goal of this study is to understand the
development of an empathic relationship between
nursing professionals and assisted clients. A
phenomenological approach was used, applying
semistructured interview to six professionals of the
nursing area (four nursing assistants, one nursing
practitioner and one nurse). It was verified that most
of the interviewed have knowledge and are aware
of the importance of the empathic development.
However, they do not put it forth due to factors as
follow: lack of time, influence of the professional’s
emotional factors and underestimation on the part
of the professional team. It is conclued that managers
need a better planning, task organization,
professiona valuing besides continued professional
education. This practice can possibly lead them to a
reflection concerning their behavior, thus fostering a
process of changes.