- A doctor exposed on Twitter the lack of empathy that exists in the medical profession on the part of medical specialists.
- Much more when it comes to answering questions and nurturing the learning of general practitioners.
- Today, empathy must be renewed in medical practice
A doctor exposed on Twitter the lack of empathy that exists in the medical profession by medical specialists. Much more when it comes to answering questions and nurturing the learning of general practitioners.
Today, empathy must be renewed in medical practice
In the past, the empathy he recovered after the rigors of the training were over. But today, empathy must be renewed to help both patients and providers.
Physicians who lose sight of the meaning, purpose, and rewards of their roles in patients’ lives suffer more from exhaustion than those who remain connected to their purpose.
What is empathy?
Empathy is defined as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of others”.
Empathy in the occupational medical field
Sometimes we confuse sympathy and empathy, but they are two different skills. Sympathy focuses on kindness, in finding something positive about the problem that the other person explains to us, seeking approval, listening to respond. You feel the same emotional state as the other person but without the need to understand them.
Empathy, on the other hand, goes one step further. He does not look for the positive of the situation, he simply seeks to understand the other person. Listens to understand, does not need approval, recognizes emotions without judging. In sympathy we look for something like “to be liked or liked” and in empathy we look for “understand and recognize other’s emotions“:
In medical work, both sympathy and empathy help us to establish good relationships with our colleagues, although empathy will lead us to have more lasting and authentic connections.
Here are some of the benefits of empathy in medical work:
1. Take the optimal time and attitude to understand the needs of collaborators or colleagues. This way you can provide them with the support they need to move forward, to face challenges or to solve difficulties.
2. Have the right attitude when reaching agreements, to resolve conflicts. Listening, understanding all parties and taking into account the point of view of all those involved makes it much easier to reach a common agreement, instead of giving an order unilaterally.
3. Understand and provide colleagues and collaborators with what they need to move forward creates a sense of trust and strengthens relationships leading to greater collaboration and improved productivity.
4. Feeling understood, listened to and respected Because of our way of thinking, it helps us to be more open when it comes to expressing our emotions. This way we can relate more sincerely and feel valued for who we are without fear of being judged.
5. Thanks to “mirror neurons” being empathetic we will infect others to be so, creating an atmosphere of connection that will make the work environment much more pleasant and enriching.
A key component of the doctor-patient relationship
Expressing empathy with the patient actually advances humanism in health care; in fact, expressing empathy in healthcare is THE KEY INGREDIENT to improve the experience and encounter with the patient.
Both empathy and compassion in health care play a vital role in the patient experience and are key components of the doctor-patient relationship.
When a patient comes to see his health care provider, the patient’s medical condition, whether it is a serious illness or injury, a chronic condition, or just a routine checkup. It will often manifest emotions such as anxiety, fear, and apprehension.
The patients want to know they are receiving the best careAnd that comes through when your care team is empathetic and compassionate.
Why is empathy important?
Empathy extends far beyond the patient’s medical history, signs, and symptoms. It is more than a clinical diagnosis and treatment. Empathy encompasses a connection and understanding that includes mind, body, and soul.
Expressing empathy is very effective and powerful, building trust in the patient, calming anxiety, and improving health outcomes.
Research has shown that empathy and compassion are associated with better medication adherence, a decrease in cases of negligence, fewer errors and greater patient satisfaction. Expressing empathy, one patient at a time, advances humanism in health care.
The role of empathy training
One of the most frequently asked questions about empathy training is, “Doesn’t this add even more time to the doctor’s busy day?”
In fact, it is not so. Empathetic care does not have to take longer. Empathy training courses help health professionals spot signs and subtle emotional nuances that indicate the patient’s concerns so they can be addressed immediately.
Furthermore, when physicians convey empathy, they reassure patients and increase trust in the provider-patient relationship. This creates a dynamic that ensures small problems are addressed before they become bigger problems.
Multiple studies have shown that better medical outcomes also correlate with strong empathy and relational skills.
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