Empathy in Medicine


    Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. This is not only shown in humans, other animals such as dogs exhibit this emotion. Why is empathy such an important thing in medicine? Empathy is crucial to provide effective medical care and making clinical interactions a healing experience for both the patients and providers. As the healthcare systems continues to grow, it is more critical that we practice compassionate care.                                                                                                        It is suggested that patient's report higher satisfaction as well as improved clinical outcomes when empathy is used in healthcare practices. Allowing the patient's to feel heard and understood can alleviate the patient's' anxiety, gain trust, and help them heal. Empathy forms a sense of unity between patients and their caregivers. When a patient feels they are being not only cared about but understood they are more likely to communicate openly, without the fear of judgement. Additionally, by forming genuine connection with patients, clinicians can feel more meaning and fulfillment in their work.                                                      I will now discuss methods that can be implemented to practice empathy in medicine. By paying full attention to what the patient is saying without interruption is my first suggestions. Open-ended questions can also encourage the patient to share their true thoughts and feelings that extend a yes or no response. Being compassionate, cultural sensitive, and validating can all also promote empathy in medicine.                     In conclusion, empathy in medicine is not just a surface skill, but it is a clinical competency that enhances healthcare. By cultivating empathy, healthcare providers can provide a more compassionate, effective, and fulfilling practice. With that I will be ended this blog. Stay Safe, Stay Compassionate. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spotting Misleading Health Information

               With an uprise usage of social media and other platforms, medical information is more likely to get  skewed. Today, I will be discussing ways to weed out the misinformation and find reliable sources. The first way to identify reliable information is checking the source. Finding trusted federal sources are a good place to start such as the CDC. Once you identify the source, look at the authors who wrote the article. An individual with expertise in their chosen field such as medical professionals or scientist are more likely to have reliable information. After identifying your source, you should cross reference its information with other sources. Be aware of titles that play on your emotions, title that entice fear can often have its own agenda. Trusted health information should be based on strong, concise evidence that back its claim. Examine the article for contradictions to itself or other reputable sources. It is important to...
Read more

Fight the Stigma: Communication on Mental Health in Different Cultures

         While mental health is a universal issue, it is perceived and treated variously across different cultures. There are stigmas, misinformation, and cultural beliefs can cause barriers to seek help. Effective communication is essential in increasing treatment for mental health challenges. The first step in addressing these concerns is understanding cultural perceptions on mental health. In some cultures mental illnesses can be seen as a sign of weakness or being a failure. In others mental health concerns can be associated with spiritual or supernatural entities. Additionally, intense cultural expectations on independence and family honor can discourage individuals speaking up about their mental health concerns.  In addition to the cultural expectations, language can also become a barrier. Some cultures lack the words for mental conditions, making it harder to explain their concerns.           Stigma can be described as a...
Read more

Staying Mindful and Healthy

         While mental health is just as important as physical health, it can often get overlooked. Maintaining good mental health is crucial for reducing stress and leading an overall healthy life. Whether you are struggling with anxiety or just want to learn about small lifestyle changes that can make a huge impact, this guide is for you.                                                                                                                                                            ...
Read more