Empathy and Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Spiritual Care Competence in OB-GYN and Pediatric Nurses

Background
Patient-centered care highlights active patient participation, shared decision-making, and continuous outcome measurement to optimize nursing pathways. Within high-demand obstetric–gynecologic and pediatric units, the holistic dimensions of care—especially spiritual support—are frequently underemphasized because of heavy workloads and task-orientated routines. Understanding how nurses’ personal attributes contribute to spiritual care competence can guide the design of effective, patient-centered clinical pathways.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey was administered to registered nurses working in obstetric–gynecologic and pediatric wards of a tertiary medical center in Taichung, Taiwan. Participants completed validated instruments assessing empathy, emotional intelligence, and spiritual care competence. Demographic factors, prior participation in spiritual care training, and unit-level practice environment variables were collected. Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses examined associations among key constructs and the independent effects of training and work environments.

Results
Both empathy and emotional intelligence showed significant positive relationships with spiritual care competence. Nurses who had attended formal spiritual care education programs or practiced in supportive, collaborative environments demonstrated higher competence scores, even after controlling for age, years of experience, and unit characteristics.

Conclusions
Strengthening empathy and emotional intelligence through structured education, mentoring, and a positive workplace culture enhances nurses’ ability to deliver holistic, patient-centered care. Integrating digital health innovations—such as AI-based assessment tools, telehealth consultations, and mobile applications for real-time outcome tracking—further supports optimized nursing pathways, ultimately improving psychological resilience, spiritual well-being, and overall quality of life for maternal and pediatric patient populations.