The Usefulness of the Staff–Patient Interaction Response Scale for Palliative Care Nursing for Measuring the Empathetic Capacity of Nursing Students

In communicating with patients, especially patients receiving palliative care, empathy plays an important role. Little research has as yet been conducted into the development of the empathetic capacity of nursing students at various educational levels. An instrument that may be suitable for such research is the Staff–Patient Interaction Response Scale for Palliative Care Nursing (SPIRS-PCN). The purpose of the article is to determine the validity and reliability of the SPIRS-PCN, an instrument measuring empathy in palliative care. The criterion-related validity, homogeneity, and interrater reliability of the SPIRS-PCN were determined in nursing students (n = 357) who varied in gender, age, religious orientation, educational level, and experience in patient care. The validity of the SPIRS-PCN was underlined by identification of differences for religious orientation and the amount of experience. The variables gender, age, and educational level were not significant in relation to SPIRS-PCN scores. The homogeneity (Cronbach's α = .80) and interrater reliability (.74) of the instrument were adequate. We conclude that validity of the SPIRS-PCN was partially supported, whereas reliability was demonstrated. The instrument is feasible in educational situations; we recommend further research into the instrument's validity, especially in the progression of students' scores during the study program.