An Intervention to Increase Nursing Students' Empathy Levels for People With Disabilities

People with disabilities (PWD) experience significant health disparities. With more than a quarter of adults in the United States having a disability, it is imperative nursing students gain skills in addressing and preventing these disparities. There is evidence that low levels of empathy among health professionals contributes to these disparities. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of role-play simulation and group interactivities on nursing students' empathy levels toward PWD. A mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) design was used to examine differences in empathy scores as measured by the Revised Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale between groups and over time. Data analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in composite empathy scores from pretest to posttest in the intervention group participants who received the role-play simulation and group interactivities. This study supports the use of role-play simulation in teaching nursing students' content on caring for PWD.