Clinical Empathy, developing patient care notes (FutureLearn)

Question 1

What is sympathy?

Answer 1

Feeling of sorrow and compassion towards the hardships of others

Question 2

What is empathy?

Answer 2

Understanding an individual’s thought and feelings from their perspective

Question 3

What types are two different types of empathy that can be demonstrated?

Answer 3

Emotional (spontaneous, non verbal and unconscious) & Cognitive (intellectual understanding)

Question 4

What is clinical empathy? Why is it important?

Answer 4

Recognizing a patient’s emotional state, responding to the unique needs of the patient.

It can promote better clinical outcomes.
Leads to increased;

• Patient satisfaction
• Adherence to treatment

Question 5

What can effect a medical professionals likeliness of giving empathy?

Answer 5

When the medical professional is burned out (energy wise, physically/emotionally)

Question 6

What skills are important for expressing effective empathy?

Answer 6

Simple non-complex language, not rushed

Good posture and eye contact

Offering reassurance (eg I can understand why you feel that way)

Question 7

Patient comes into GP appointment crying, what do you do?

Answer 7

Introduce yourself

Offer a tissue

Offer them to sit down

Politely ask why they’re upset if they’re willing to explain

Understanding/recognizing what they are saying

Mention that any disclosed personal information will be kept confidential

Question 8

Why is it important to not miss empathetic opportunities?

Answer 8

Could lead to the patient not expressing their true concerns (ie they’ve got an illness but its effecting them mentally/emotionally for example)

Question 9

How can you notice an opportunity to express empathy?

Answer 9

From the patients tone of voice, body posture, facial expressions

Question 10

What can make it difficult for a medical professional to communicate empathy?

Answer 10

Time pressures

Burn out

Worried of saying the wrong thing to the individual

Unable to understand the patient’s perspective

Issues from opposing beliefs

Question 11

Why can it be challenging for effective communication and empathy in remote (not face to face consultations)?

Answer 11

Lack of non verbal cues

Patient could be anxious (lack of confidence with technology/telephone anxiety)

Medical professional could also have anxiety

Don’t like to be seen through a camera