Empathy and communication skills in health professionals who work with pediatric chronic diseases

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15381/rinvp.v24i1.20132

Keywords:

empathy, communication skills, pediatric chronic diseases, health professionals

Abstract

Pediatric chronic diseases have a high prevalence rate at the national level, however, little has been studied about the professional competencies necessary for intervention in these cases, which turn out to be important to achieve therapeutic goals. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between empathy and communication skills in health professionals who work with pediatric patients with chronic diseases. The sample is for convenience made up of 146 female health professionals (M = 37.22; SD = 9.83). The variables are evaluated online through the Personal Reactivity Index, the Scale of Communication Skills in Health Professionals and an ad-hoc Sociodemographic Questionnaire. The results achieved indicate a partial correlation between the study variables since, although the total constructs of empathy and communication skills have not correlated significantly, it is possible to observe a significant association between the following subdimensions: on the one hand, perspective taking (empathy) and respect (communication skills) (r= .193) and, on the other hand, personal discomfort and social skills (r= .274), components of empathy and communication skills respectively. In conclusion, the value of the links built with pediatric patients is highlighted, which, sustained on the basis of an assertive, empathic and communicative professional performance, could become a potential therapeutic resource.

Author Biographies

  • Ivana Raba, Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Licenciada en Psicología de la Universidad Abierta Interamericana (UAI) Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cursando actualmente la especialización en Psicoterapias Cognitivas Contemporáneas (Fundación Foro).

  • Rocío A. Hauché, Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Licenciada en Psicología de la Universidad Abierta Interamericana (UAI). Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Lucas G. Gago Galvagno, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Profesor y Licenciado en Psicología en Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina (UBA). Doctor en Psicología en Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA).

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Published

2021-06-18

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Section

Artículos

How to Cite

Raba, I., Hauché, R. A., & Gago Galvagno, L. G. (2021). Empathy and communication skills in health professionals who work with pediatric chronic diseases. Revista De Investigación En Psicología, 24(1), 55-71. https://doi.org/10.15381/rinvp.v24i1.20132