Evaluation of Authentic Human Caring Professional Practices.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to present an instrument and comparative database designed to evaluate patients' perceptions of caring behaviors of caregivers.


BACKGROUND
Acute care leaders are under pressure to improve publicly reported patient satisfaction scores. Some nurse leaders have implemented professional practice environments based on human caring theory, whereas others have used scripting to standardize communication between staff and patients.


METHODS
The Watson Caritas Patient Score (WCPS) is collected quarterly from a random sample of patients who are admitted to acute care hospital units.


RESULTS
The WCPS was able to discriminate across unit types and hospitals. Items were related to publicly reported nursing communication scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Participation in research based on human caring theory has given nurse leaders the opportunity to evaluate effectiveness of professional practice environments. It may provide the opportunity to focus staff communication with patients more authentically and in a way that enriches the experience for both.
Author Affiliations: Associate Professor (Dr Brewer), College of Nursing, The University of Arizona, Tucson; and Director, Watson Caring Science Institute, Boulder, Colorado; and Distinguished Professor and Dean Emerita (Dr Watson), College of Nursing, University of Colorado, Aurora.
Barbara B
BB
Brewer
Jean
J
Watson
D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States