Investigating the Influence of Nurse-Patient Trust, Empathy, and Cultural Competence on Patient Satisfaction, Treatment Compliance, and Readmission Rates in Hafr Al-Batin Hospitals

Abstract

Patient satisfaction, treatment compliance, and readmission rates are critical indicators of healthcare quality. This study aimed to investigate the influence of nurse-patient trust, empathy, and cultural competence on these outcomes in Hafr Al-Batin hospitals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 500 patients discharged from three hospitals in Hafr Al-Batin. Data were collected using validated questionnaires measuring trust, empathy, cultural competence, satisfaction, compliance, and readmission. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the predictive power of trust, empathy, and cultural competence on the outcomes. The results showed that trust (β=0.35, p<0.001), empathy (β=0.28, p<0.01), and cultural competence (β=0.19, p<0.05) were significant predictors of patient satisfaction, explaining 42% of the variance. Trust (β=0.41, p<0.001) and empathy (β=0.23, p<0.01) were significant predictors of treatment compliance, explaining 38% of the variance. Trust (β=-0.29, p<0.01) and cultural competence (β=-0.22, p<0.05) were significant predictors of readmission rates, explaining 25% of the variance. The findings highlight the importance of fostering trust, empathy, and cultural competence in nursing care to improve patient outcomes. Nurses should receive training in these areas to enhance the quality of care in Hafr Al-Batin hospitals.