Nursing Caring Behaviors in Slovenian Emergency Departments Under High Workload Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of Patient and Nurse Perspectives.

Background/Objectives: Caring behaviors are key components of nursing practice and contribute to patient outcomes and satisfaction. In emergency departments (EDs), where care is delivered under time pressure, caring behaviors may be shaped by organizational constraints. Patients and nurses may perceive caring behaviors differently. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the CBI-24 and CBI-24-P for use in Slovenian EDs, assess the level of caring behaviors among ED nurses, examine differences in perception between nurses and patients, and explore whether selected sociodemographic factors are associated with perceived caring behaviors in the ED. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2025 and January 2026 in ten EDs in Slovenia. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were applied. Results: A total of 354 nurses completed the Slovenian CBI-24, and 288 patients completed the Slovenian patient version, designated the CBI-24-P. Caring behaviors were rated highly by both nurses and patients. Among patients, the highest ratings were observed for safety-related aspects of care, such as giving medication (M = 5.42; SD = 0.85) and treating patient information confidentially (M = 5.53; SD = 0.83). Among patients, caring behaviors showed weak positive correlations with age (rs= 0.131) and weak negative associations with waiting time (rs = -0.299). Conclusions: Caring behaviors in Slovenian EDs are perceived as high, with emphasis placed on technical competence. Communication, responsiveness, and workflow organization remain relevant areas for further investigation and quality improvement.