Releasing latent compassion through an innovative compassion curriculum for Specialist Community Public Health Nurses

Abstract

Aims To evaluate the impact of a curriculum based on the Compassionate Mind Model (CMM) designed to facilitate the expression of compassion in Specialist Community Public Health Nurses. Background The CMM identifies that fear of compassion creates a barrier to the flow of compassion. There is some evidence linking self‐compassion to compassionate care but no previous research has explored this potential with postregistration specialist community public health nursing students. Design Prospective, longitudinal design using focus group interviews. Methods Twenty six students (81% of cohort) agreed to participate in a wider evaluation (2014–2015). For this study, two groups were drawn from those participants (total 13 students) who attended audio‐taped group interviews at the course mid‐ and end‐points to explore their perceptions on compassion and compassionate care. Transcripts were analysed thematically. Findings Several subthemes were identified. “Cultural change in the NHS”, “Workload and meeting targets” and “Lack of time were barriers to compassionate care, as was negative “Role modelling”. These were collated under a macro‐theme of “A culture lacking in compassion”. Secondly, the subthemes “Actualization of compassion” and “Transformation” were collated within a macro‐theme: “Realization of compassion”. This theme identified realization of latent compassion from their previous roles that in some transferred into students’ personal lives suggesting a transformation beyond professional attitude. Conclusion The curriculum facilitated a realization of compassion in students over the period of the course by enhancing their capacity to be self‐compassionate and by actualization of compassion that had previously been suppressed.

Promotion of professional quality of life through reducing fears of compassion and compassion fatigue: Application of the Compassionate Mind Model to Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (Health Visiting) training

“…Also, post hoc analysis in the repeated measures ANOVA tests tentatively indicated estimates of observed statistical power of at least 0.80 for the scales/subscales evaluations (0.82–0.99). This study additionally builds on our earlier qualitative study report (Pettit et al,2019; names withheld for review purposes) in which we identified what appeared to be an actualisation of the participants’ compassion attribute during the course delivery. Thus, the outcomes appear supportive of decreased fears of compassion over the duration of the course, linked to improved professional quality of life.…”

“…Mean scores significantly decreased over the duration of the course for the three scales, suggesting a significant reduction in fears of compassion. In a related study, we have previously reported qualitative evidence for an actualisation of individuals’ compassion attributes after completion of this CMM‐focused post‐registration course (Pettit et al, 2019). Present findings therefore would appear to suggest that decreased fears of compassion may have been contributory to that outcome.…”

“…Personal growth during the course is reinforced by the student's commitment early‐on to deliver a pledge linked to professional nursing values which they present to educators and colleagues at the end. Further details of the course structure and ethos are available elsewhere (Pettit et al, 2019).…”

“…For healthcare practitioners such as nurses undertaking a post‐registration training course to qualify as a health visitor, an elevated baseline level of burnout and secondary traumatic stress may already be established in some students by their previous work environment, including exposure to traumatic events. In the authors’ qualitative evaluation of a statutory health visitor training course founded on the principles of the CMM, it was concluded that there was an actualisation of what appeared to be a latent compassion attribute (Pettit, McVicar, Knight‐Davidson, & Shaw‐Flach, 2019 ) suggesting that fears of compassion may have been decreased. As far as we are aware that course was an innovative and novel application of the CMM within a mandatory healthcare training programme.…”

Clustering clinical learning environment and mentoring perceptions of nursing and midwifery students: A cross‐sectional study

“…In the United States, public health nurses first graduate in nursing and then specialize in community/public health nursing (Canales and Drevdahl, 2014). In the United Kingdom, registered nurses can specialize in public health nursing (i.e., Specialist Community Public Health Nurses, SPCHN) (Pettit et al, 2018), while health and care professionals with a foundation degree, or diploma of higher education, aspiring for a bachelor's degree, or those with a bachelor's degree, can apply for postgraduate studies for paramedics (College of Paramedics, 2014).…”