title: Reconstructing compassion: should it be taught as part of the curriculum?
abstract: Currently, within the nursing and midwifery curriculum of Australia, the concepts of caring and compassion are not routinely taught. While these are thought of as integral components for nursing and midwifery students to develop during their theoretical and practical training, it is questionable whether they can actually be taught, or whether they are innate to the individual's own disposition. This article suggests that compassion is under threat, and examines whether it is possible to teach these concepts within the nursing and midwifery curriculum to address this possible deficit within the professions.
authors: Nursing & Midwifery Lecturer, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia.
authors: Sadie
authors: S
authors: Geraghty
authors: Senior Nursing Lecturer, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Lauva
authors: Nursing Lecturer, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia.
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Oliver
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D003479:Curriculum; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Compassion; Curriculum; Midwifery; Nursing; Students