Obstacles to compassion-giving among nursing and midwifery managers: an international study

Papadopoulos, Irena ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6291-4332, Lazzarino, Runa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4206-4913, Koulouglioti, Christina, Aagard, M., Akman, Ö., Alpers, L. M., Apostolara, P., Araneda Bernal, J., Biglete‐Pangilinan, S., Eldar‐Regev, O., González‐Gil, M. T., Kouta, C., Krepinska, R., Lesińska‐Sawicka, M., Liskova, M., Lopez‐Diaz, A. L., Malliarou, M., Martín‐García, Á., Muñoz‐Salinas, M., Nagórska, M., Ngunyulu, R. N., Nissim, S., Nortvedt, L., Oconer‐Rubiano, M. F., Oter‐Quintana, C., Öztürk, C., Papp, K., Piratoba‐Hernandez, B., Rousou, E., Tolentino‐Diaz, M. Y., Tothova, V. and Zorba, A. (2020) Obstacles to compassion-giving among nursing and midwifery managers: an international study. International Nursing Review, 67 (4) . pp. 453-465. ISSN 0020-8132 [Article] (doi:10.1111/inr.12611)

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Abstract

Aim: To explore nursing and midwifery managers’ views regarding obstacles to compassion-giving across country cultures.

Background: The benefit of compassionate leadership is being advocated, but despite the fact that healthcare is invariably conducted within culturally diverse workplaces, the interconnection of culture, compassion and leadership is rarely addressed. Furthermore, evidence on how cultural factors hinder the expression of compassion among nursing and midwifery managers is lacking.

Methods: Cross-sectional, exploratory, international online survey involving 1 217 participants from 17 countries. Managers’ responses on open-ended questions related to barriers for providing compassion were entered and thematically analysed through NVivo.

Results: Three key themes related to compassion-giving obstacles emerged across countries: 1. related to the managers’ personal characteristics and experiences; 2. system-related; 3. staff-related.

Conclusions: Obstacles to compassion-giving among managers vary across countries. An understanding of the variations across countries and cultures of what impedes compassion to flourish in healthcare is important.

Implications for nursing practice and policy: Nursing mangers should wisely use their power by adopting leadership styles that promote culturally competent and compassionate workplaces with respect for human rights. Policymakers should identify training and mentoring needs to enable the development of managers’ practical wisdom. Appropriate national and international policies should facilitate the establishment of standards and guidelines for compassionate leadership, in the face of distorted organisational cultures and system-related obstacles to compassion-giving.

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