Experiencing Presence Through Empathy: A Visit to Jeroen Bosch Hospital

On 3 June 2026, our delegation of six academics had the privilege of visiting Jeroen Bosch Hospital (JBZ) in Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, for a unique exchange programme focused on healthcare ethics, presence, empathy, and reflective practice. The day brought together healthcare professionals from the Netherlands and South Africa to share innovative approaches to compassionate, person-centred care.

The programme began with a warm Dutch welcome over coffee and the famous Bossche Bol, creating an informal atmosphere for colleagues to get to know one another. Hanneke introduced the Zelf Ziek ("Sick Yourself") initiative, which encourages healthcare professionals to gain deeper insight into the patient experience through immersive learning.

One of the highlights of the morning was a virtual reality (VR) experience, where participants used VR headsets to experience healthcare from a patient's perspective. Guided reflection encouraged meaningful discussions about vulnerability, empathy, and the importance of understanding patients lived experiences.

The South African delegation contributed to the programme through presentations that sparked rich dialogue across cultures. Professor Tinda Rabie presented "Rabie's Four-Part Framework of Presence in Caring: An Ethical and Reflective Approach to Healthcare Practice" demonstrating how ethical presence and reflective practice strengthen relationships between nurses and patients.

Following a guided walk through the hospital, participants experienced another powerful empathy-building activity by wearing disability simulation suits during lunch. The exercise challenged participants to navigate everyday tasks while experiencing physical limitations, offering valuable insight into the barriers many patients encounter daily. The reflections that followed highlighted the importance of dignity, accessibility, and compassionate care.

During the afternoon, Dr Rudo Ramalisa presented "Mindfulness: The Butterfly Effect" illustrating how mindfulness foster resilience, connectedness, and compassionate nursing practice. Colleagues from JBZ then introduced the hospital's mindfulness initiatives, followed by a practical mindfulness session in which participants experienced techniques that promote wellbeing, self-awareness, and presence in healthcare practice.

The day concluded with a reflective discussion, where participants considered how the experiences and insights gained could be incorporated into their own professional practice. The exchange reinforced the value of slowing down, listening deeply, and recognising that compassionate healthcare begins with understanding the person behind the patient.

Our sincere gratitude goes to the team at Jeroen Bosch Hospital for their warm hospitality, innovative educational activities, and commitment to fostering ethical, person-centred care. The visit strengthened the partnership between our institutions and provided lasting inspiration for advancing presence, empathy, and reflective practice in nursing education and healthcare.