The Impact of Compassionate Care Education on Healthcare: A Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: Compassionate care has been a central topic in the literature in recent years, as it is associated with reduced pain, decreased stress-related emotional disorders, improved clinical outcomes, and increased satisfaction among healthcare professionals. A promising approach is the education of compassionate care, which can cultivate and enhance compassion for both others and oneself through structured training.

Objective: The aim of this review is to explore the effects of compassionate care education on healthcare.

Methodology: The methodology was based on a descriptive literature review, focusing on published scientific articles and studies from leading databases such as PubMed and Scopus over the last decade (2014-2024).

Results: The results underscore that compassionate care can be taught and enhanced through structured educational programs. Early education in compassionate care has positive effects on the skills of healthcare professionals. Furthermore, it serves as an important approach to addressing burnout, anxiety, and depression, helping to improve performance and the quality of care provided. However, there is a lack of systematic integration of compassionate care into educational curricula. The research highlights the importance of applying multidimensional pedagogical approaches in the education of compassionate care through experiential and participatory methods, supported by digital tools.

Conclusions: Compassionate care can be taught, and its education is a significant factor in improving the quality of healthcare and the mental well-being of healthcare professionals. However, its integration into curricula remains insufficient, requiring further systematic implementation.