Exploring empathy, communication, and cultural competence in low back pain care
A comparative cross-sectional study of nurses and physicians in Israel
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22093370 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Silviya Nikolova (0000-0001-5001-0707), С Николова (0000-0002-6922-5115, Medical University of Varna, corresponding author), Aiham Gotani (Rebecca Sieff Hospital) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-09 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Communication (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2297-900X • E-ISSN: 2297-900X |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fcomm.2025.1674019 |
| OpenAlex | W4417146237 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 78 |
Background Effective communication is critical in managing chronic low back pain, yet disparities exist in how healthcare professionals engage with patients. This study aimed to identify professional differences in relational and culturally responsive approaches to caring for patients with low back pain in Israel. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Ziv Medical Center in Safed, Northern Israel, involving 50 healthcare professionals—31 nurses and 19 physicians —who manage patients with low back pain in various clinical settings. Participants completed a structured Likert-scale questionnaire evaluating four key aspects of communication: empathy, patient engagement, shared decision-making, and cultural competence. Data were analyzed using Jamovi (version 2.6.23), and group differences between nurses and physicians were assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test. Findings Nurses exhibited higher empathy and communication skills compared to physicians, particularly in emotional support, patient reassurance, and encouraging patient concerns ( p < 0.05). Physicians, however, excelled in clinical decision-making and providing detailed explanations of treatments ( p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between empathy and communication skills for both groups ( r = 0.62, p = 0.004). Nurses demonstrated higher cultural competence and provided more culturally tailored care, with a positive correlation between cultural competence and individualized care ( r = 0.58, p = 0.009). Discussion and conclusions The study underscores the critical role of both nurses and physicians in shaping patient care experiences. Nurses tend to excel in empathy and communication, whereas physicians primarily focus on clinical decision-making and treatment. The observed correlation between cultural competence and patient reassurance suggests that greater cultural sensitivity may enhance the patient experience and strengthen trust within the care relationship. These findings highlight the need for targeted training to improve communication, empathy, and cultural awareness across healthcare teams, thereby fostering stronger collaboration and more effective patient care
Communication skills · Cultural competence · Cultural diversity · Empathy · Health care · Health professionals · Low back pain · Empathy and Medical Education · Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation · Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
Developing Physician Communication Skills For Patient-Centered Care
Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions
A literature-based study of patient-centered care and communication in nurse-patient interactions
Effectiveness of empathy in general practice
Barriers and facilitators to implementing shared decision-making in clinical practice
Shared Decision Making
Practicing Cultural Competence and Cultural Humility in the Care of Diverse Patients
An integrative model of shared decision making in medical encounters
The Values and Value of Patient-Centered Care
Health Promotion by Social Cognitive Means
Communication skills as a bridge between medical and public health education
Empathy in patient care
Health workforce cultural competency interventions
An examination of relational dynamics of power in the context of supported (assisted) decision‐making with older people and those with disabilities in an acute healthcare setting
The Process of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Healthcare Services
Impact of Nurse-Patient Relationship on Quality of Care and Patient Autonomy in Decision-Making
Patient-professional partnerships and chronic back pain self-management
Patient-centredness
| Highly cited | No |
|---|