In what is arguably our most ground-breaking study yet, we examined the role that compassion plays on quality care ratings among patients visiting 14 emergency departments (ED), while also validating the SCQ-ED (Sinclair Compassion Questionnaire—Emergency Department). The results are compelling and potentially game changing as compassion was the greatest predictor of quality care ratings by a large margin—surpassing other traditional factors of quality care such as wait times, clinical communication, and pain and symptom management.
Essentially, what this means is that we now have convincing evidence that compassion is a central pillar of the patient experience and a core component of quality care ratings. In other words, if we want to transform the quality of healthcare being delivered in our health care systems—compassion can no longer be overlooked and perhaps should even be considered a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) within healthcare systems that are increasingly fixated on efficiencies and economics.
The open access article that involved over 4500 Emergency Department patients also validated the SCQ-ED, allowing healthcare providers, organizational leaders, and system analysts to assess compassion on a routine basis. This SCQ-ED adds to our impressive family of compassion measures spanning patient populations and care settings. The SCQ not only enhances our understanding of quality care but also provides the means to monitor and improve compassion within healthcare settings. Moving forward, the integration of compassion into standard patient surveys and healthcare practices is crucial, facilitating equitable care across diverse patient populations.
The study also revealed concerning disparities among demographic groups. Women reported lower levels of compassion and subsequently lower overall care ratings compared to men. Similarly, Indigenous patients experienced notably reduced levels of compassion and overall care ratings.
Compassion—patients want it, healthcare providers desire to provide it, healthcare systems need to measure and enhance it. We now have the evidence and a robust measure to begin to do so. Are we willing to move from vision to reality? Compassion is Action!
