Introduction: "Caring behavior" are actions that are performed for the well-being of the patient. Nurses and patients' perceptions of caring behavior may differ. The aim of this study was comparison of nurses’ and patients' perspective on caring behaviors in intensive care units of educational and medical hospitals affiliated Golestan University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: This descriptive- analytical, cross-sectional study was performed in 2021 in intensive care units (ICU, CCU, hemodialysis) in educational and medical centers of Golestan University of Medical Sciences. Cluster and census random sampling were used to select hospitals and nurses, respectively. The patients entered into the study by convenience sampling. Data collected using Caring Behavior Inventory (CBI) questionnaire consisting of 42 questions and five domains (respect for others, ensuring human presence, communication and positive attitude, knowledge and professional skills and attention to other experiences) with six-point Likert responses. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation coefficient tests.

Results: 149 nurses and 145 patients were studied. The mean of nurses’ caring behaviors from the nurses and patients’ perspectives were 229.07±14.65 and 208.79±19.92 respectively. The CBI’ scores in each of five domains were significantly higher in nurses than patients (P-value <0.001).

Conclusion: The difference between patients' and nurses' perception about caring behaviors confirms that although nurses' perspective is that they perform care well, but from patients' point of view, nurses have not been able to meet their expectations.