BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Empathy is an important part of the nurse-patient relationship. The aim was to validate the French version of the Reynolds Empathy Scale (F-RES) for assessing empathy in nurses during standardized clinical simulations (SCS). METHODS: A series of steps recommended for the translation and validation of an instrument was carried out. Then the F-RES was used to assess empathy during SCS sessions with 26 nurses. RESULTS: The results showed good internal consistency and inter-rater reliability of the F-RES. The expert panel was satisfied with the content and face validity of the instrument. Convergent validity was confirmed using the French version of the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy. CONCLUSIONS: The F-RES has good psychometric qualities and potential for future research in French populations.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Empathy is an important part of the nurse-patient relationship. The aim was to validate the French version of the Reynolds Empathy Scale (F-RES) for assessing empathy in nurses during standardized clinical simulations (SCS). METHODS: A series of steps recommended for the translation and validation of an instrument was carried out. Then the F-RES was used to assess empathy during SCS sessions with 26 nurses. RESULTS: The results showed good internal consistency and inter-rater reliability of the F-RES. The expert panel was satisfied with the content and face validity of the instrument. Convergent validity was confirmed using the French version of the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy. CONCLUSIONS: The F-RES has good psychometric qualities and potential for future research in French populations.