DOI or Website Link: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.022141
Publication:
Authors:
Sundip Patel,
Alexis Pelletier-Bui,
Stephanie Smith,
Michael B. Roberts,
Hope Kilgannon,
Stephen Trzeciak,
Brian W. Roberts
Date: August 22, 2019
Affiliation(s):
Citation:
Comments:
Abstract:
Empathy and compassion are vital components of health care quality; however, physicians frequently miss opportunities for empathy and compassion in patient care. Despite evidence that empathy and compassion training can be effective, the specific behaviors that should be taught remain unclear. We synthesized the biomedical literature on empathy and compassion training in medical education to find the specific curricula components (skills and behaviors) demonstrated to be effective.
Fifty-two studies (total n = 5,316) met inclusion criteria. Most (75%) studies found that the tested curricula improved physician empathy and/or compassion on at least one outcome measure. We identified the following key behaviors to be effective:
(1) sitting (versus standing) during the interview;
(2) detecting patients’ non-verbal cues of emotion;
(3) recognizing and responding to opportunities for compassion
; (4) non-verbal communication of caring (e.g. eye contact); and
(5) verbal statements of acknowledgement, validation, and support. These behaviors were found to improve patient perception of physician empathy and/or compassion.
Evidence suggests that training can enhance physician empathy and compassion. Training curricula should incorporate the specific behaviors identified in this report.
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Topic Area: (In which field / sector / perspective was this study conducted?)
Definition: (How was empathy defined?)
Benefits: (Were any benefits of empathy mentioned?)
Criticisms (Were any criticisms, negative effects or risks of empathy mentioned?)
Methods: (What were the methods used to train empathy?)
Target Group: (Who participated in this study / training?)
Measurements: (About the assessment: How was the change in empathy measured before/after the intervention/method?)
Result: (What was the result?)
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Notes: (Any other relevant information)
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