The importance of empathy- not sympathy- in clinical practice
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BMJ
The importance of empathy- not sympathy- in clinical practice
Discuss what's in the BMJ and on bmj.com
Empathy is something that we have all been taught about (or I hope so) as part of our medical education. It is always important to be able to instead of just feeling sorry for a patient (sympathysing)
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Cat:BMJForum:BMJ
Cat:BMJForum:BMJDiscussion:1201d45e-5ca6-4e15-89b0-c67a4fdcb2f6
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The importance of empathy- not sympathy- in clinical practice
posted at 14/6/2012 5:20 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 324
First: 23/12/2011 Last: 3/5/2013 |
Empathy is something that we have all been taught about (or I hope so) as part of our medical education. It is always important to be able to instead of just feeling sorry for a patient (sympathysing)- being able to actually try to (unfortunately use that awful phrase) 'put yourself in their shoes' and be able to try to understand what they are going through (empathysing). There is debate over whether you can learn to be empathetic as many people can come across in their characters as someone who simply doesnt care. Furthermore, displaying emotion can also be detrimental as appearing flustured or uncertain over decisions can decrease patient confidence and breaking down in front of patients can appear unprofessional. Therefore there are two (of many) questions we can ask ourselves: 1) Do you find the difference between sympathy and empathy a difficult line to draw? 2) Do you find it difficult to not get emotionally involved in patient's cases? The BMJ published an article on this subject. It is interesting as the author talks a lot about being able to keep emotions in check in tough situations. |
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Re: Empathy- a good way to relate to patients or the path to emotional involvement?
posted at 14/6/2012 7:26 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 3045
First: 27/3/2012 Last: 20/5/2013 |
Yes, empathy is to be able to instead of just feeling sorry for a patient- being able to actually try to 'put yourself in their shoes' and be able to try to understand what they are going through. A good perceptive post. Surely, sympathy & empathy are two different & specific terminologies. Sympathy is an extension of empathic concern, or the perception, understanding, and reaction to the distress or need of another human being. This empathic concern is driven by a switch in viewpoint, from a personal perspective to the perspective of another group or individual who is in need. Empathy and sympathy are often used interchangeably, but the two terms have distinct origins and meanings. Empathy refers to the understanding and sharing of a specific emotional state with another person. Sympathy, however, does not require the sharing of the same emotional state. Instead, sympathy is a concern for the well-being of another. Although sympathy may begin with empathizing with the same emotion another person is feeling, sympathy can be extended to other emotional states. We should not find it difficult to get involved in patients feeling. |
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Re: The importance of empathy- not sympathy- in clinical practice
posted at 17/6/2012 3:10 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 324
First: 23/12/2011 Last: 3/5/2013 |
Thanks to those so far. What about keeping emotions in check in tough situations. Do you find it easy? Relating to the paper from BMJ- do you think empathy is compatible with keeping cool under pressure? |
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Re: The importance of empathy- not sympathy- in clinical practice
posted at 17/6/2012 4:36 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 3045
First: 27/3/2012 Last: 20/5/2013 |
In Response to Re: The importance of empathy- not sympathy- in clinical practice: Thanks to those so far. What about keeping emotions in check in tough situations. Do you find it easy? Relating to the paper from BMJ- do you think empathy is compatible with keeping cool under pressure? Posted by NCantley It may be difficult to keep our emotions in control sometimes, in tough situations, but it is the strong belief in the supremacy of the almighty & self confidence that does help us to keep ourselves in check & cool minded under any circumstances & under any pressure whatsoever. |
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Re: The importance of empathy- not sympathy- in clinical practice
posted at 24/6/2012 10:17 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 45
First: 18/5/2009 Last: 9/4/2013 |
In Response to Re: The importance of empathy- not sympathy- in clinical practice: Thanks to those so far. What about keeping emotions in check in tough situations. Do you find it easy? Relating to the paper from BMJ- do you think empathy is compatible with keeping cool under pressure? Posted by NCantley It's inevitable that some patients affect us emotionally more than others and this may be diue to their situation being connected in some way to our own. This is why there needs to be something similar to 'supervsion' that counsellors and therapists are required to have, for doctors. That is an opportunity to talk about the way certain patients have affected us and to enable these feelings to be understood and seperated from those feeings we have towards something in our own lives. In that way a doctor can show empathy and not get innappropriately emotionally involved. |
