Empathy is key in healthcare services

By: Nilmaris Díaz Ramos

Providing excellent healthcare depends not only on having extensive medical knowledge or the best equipment; it also requires empathy.

What is empathy?

It is the intellectual ability that allows a person to understand another person’s experiences, feelings, or state of mind while maintaining objectivity as an observer. It involves understanding their behavior and feelings.

According to the article The Importance of Humanization and Empathy in Healthcare, healthcare professionals must “have the ability to perceive each patient’s feelings and try to put themselves in their shoes, in order to deeply understand each situation, with the aim of connecting with the other person’s inner world and facilitating the resolution of their crises.” The more this empathy is cultivated, the more successful healthcare interventions and their outcomes will be.

How do we develop empathy?

Empathy must be cultivated in academic settings where those who wish to pursue a career in healthcare are trained, according to Frank Lizaraso Caparó of Horizonte Médico magazine. However, it cannot remain mere words; we need action. It must be cultivated continuously and responsibly every day. Below, we share ways to start practicing empathy in the healthcare settings where you provide services:

Say hello and introduce yourself.
Be calm and friendly, and smile sincerely.
Call the patient by name.
Listen actively to the person.
Show a sense of responsibility.
Listen to the patient's concerns and understand their personality.
Show interest in what they share with you.
Use simple, easy-to-understand language that isn't too technical.
Explain the patient’s condition to them and confirm that you have understood the information they provided.

Making an effort to practice empathy can make a difference in a patient’s life. Make an effort to cultivate it.

The content on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace or substitute for a consultation with a doctor or other healthcare professional.