J Allied Health. 2026 Spring;55(1):33-40. doi: 10.21091/jah.2026.01004.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Certified surgical technologists (CSTs) promote asepsis principles due to their specialized education, help¬ing to minimize surgical site infections (SSIs). However, closing the empathy gap could support understanding and commitment to aseptic technique and improve outcomes.
METHODS: A single intervention, randomized posttest control group design was used to study the effect of a patient experiential video on the state empathy and aseptic technique performance of a convenience sample of CSTs (n = 133). The predictive ability of empathy and safety on CST exam scores was also examined. Data were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) controlling for CST exam scores, independent t-tests, and regression analysis.
RESULTS: Differences between the means for the experimental and control groups were not significant. There was a statistically significant increase in mean associative empathy scores between the groups of 1.18 points, 95% CI [-0.01, 2.36], t(131) = 1.96, p < 0.05, d = 0.341. Empathy and safety scores statistically significantly predicted CST score (adjusted R2 = 0.14, p < 0.005). The aseptic safety score added significantly to the prediction, p = 0.001.
CONCLUSION: The significant difference in associative empathy scores produced by a patient-presented video could reduce the empathy gap, reduce psychological reactance, and improve aseptic techniques for CSTs.
PMID:41802950 | DOI:10.21091/jah.2026.01004
