Mensuração da empatia no cuidado neonatal

Abstract

This is a Final Course Work (TCC) with two components: a research project and a reflection on my medical school career. The objective of the study was to analyze the construct of clinical empathy in healthcare professionals working with low-risk neonatal patients. This cross-sectional study used the Jefferson Empathy Scale, Healthcare Professionals version, administered to 67 healthcare professionals in a maternity hospital in the interior of São Paulo state, from September to December 2023. Factor analysis with Varimax rotation was performed. The median empathy score was 116. Four factors were included: understanding patients' minds and body language, emotion and art, humor and empathy, and emotional bonds. No variables from the "putting patients' shoes" domain were included. Thirty-seven (55.2%) professionals reported not being influenced by strong personal bonds with patients and their families. The conclusion is that the ability to put newborns' shoes, and be influenced by strong personal bonds can improve.