The term compassion is at the forefront of current healthcare policy, yet its meaning and how it can be realised in practice is far from clear. This article debates the meaning of compassion in the context of practice and argues that it essentially involves how people relate to each other. It highlights key processes to enhance compassion with self, patients and their families, healthcare professionals and the organisation.
Nursing Standard. 27, 34, 48-55. doi: 10.7748/ns2013.04.27.34.48.e7460
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
Accepted: 18 January 2013
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