Empathy essential to provider-patient relationship

by Darlene A. Cunha Patient care is more than healing--it's building a connection that encompasses mind, body and soul. When dealing with patients and families coping with illness, empathy is one of the greatest interventions a caregiver can bring forth. Trying to understand another's experience requires effort and intention. People often equate empathy with sympathy. Sympathy however, is an awareness of another person's situation and is almost an automatic response--such as, "That's so terrible, I sympathize with you." Sympathy is important and is part of what humanizes a caregiver, but empathy is essential to a successful caregiver-patient relationship. Many studies on healthcare delivery conducted over the years have indicated that empathy is lacking. During my 34 years in healthcare, I have found this to be true. For example, we talk at patients, not to them. We look at our computer and not in their eyes, when we ask questions. We use an intercom to respond to a call light, rather than walk the few steps to a patient's room to assist them. Technology, although necessary today, has widened the gap of real-time, hands-on responses to care, diminishing the importance of empathy in the care we deliver. Empathy should serve as the basis of all patient care and the cornerstone of the caregiver-patient relationship. As the number of practicing clinicians continues to decline, we must select applicants that have potential to truly care for the sick. Medical and nursing ...
Source: hospital impact - Category: Health Managers Authors: Source Type: blogs