What are some effective ways to demonstrate empathy in healthcare settings?
Learn from the community’s knowledge. Experts are adding insights into this AI-powered collaborative article, and you could too.
This is a new type of article that we started with the help of AI, and experts are taking it forward by sharing their thoughts directly into each section.
If you’d like to contribute, request an invite by liking or reacting to this article. Learn more
— The LinkedIn Team
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It is a crucial skill for patient advocates, who work to support and empower patients in navigating the complex and often stressful healthcare system. In this article, you will learn some effective ways to demonstrate empathy in healthcare settings, and how it can benefit both you and your clients.
One of the most important ways to show empathy is to listen actively to what your clients are saying, and what they are not saying. Active listening involves paying attention, reflecting, clarifying, summarizing, and asking open-ended questions. It helps you to understand your clients' perspectives, needs, emotions, and preferences. It also shows them that you care, respect, and value their input. Active listening can help you build rapport, trust, and collaboration with your clients.
-
Dr. Jessica D.
Research Scholar + Forever Student +Nurse + Advocate + Educator + Antiracist + Ally + Science Nerd + Believer in brave conversations
Active listening is a practice in humanity. It extends beyond the mechanical process of hearing words and requires emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and a deep-rooted desire for mutual understanding. Practicing this skill is important, and goes beyond memorization of techniques. It requires practice and authentic engagement, not only theoretical understanding. Active listening is an exercise in empathetic healthcare, requiring continual cultivation of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the pursuit of authentic human connection
(edited)7
-
Pakinam AlSorogy
Public Health | NGWL Alumni | McKinsey Forward Alumni l Sustainable Development l Entrepreneurship
I believe active listening is one of the most important skills that should be enhanced ,because as a healthcare professional ,you heard this very complain several times,you know what the patient is going to say already ,but for him it could be his first time ,he needs to feel that he is heard. Also, sometimes a routine step in the process could be constantly overlooked ,but the patient got affected by it in a negative way, so he could be pointing out a new area of improvement or a weakness that needs strengthening.
(edited)3
Another way to express empathy is to use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication includes the words, tone, and pace of your speech. Non-verbal communication includes your body language, facial expressions, eye contact, and gestures. You can use verbal and non-verbal communication to convey empathy by using positive and supportive language, matching your tone and pace to your clients', acknowledging their feelings, and avoiding jargon and criticism. You can also use non-verbal communication to show empathy by maintaining eye contact, nodding, smiling, leaning forward, and mirroring your clients' posture and gestures.
-
GEISA LUZ
Nurse | TEDx Speaker | LinkedIn Creator | Rare Disease Consultant | Post doctorate in Public Health
In my reality as a nurse who defends the cause of rare diseases, demonstrating empathy in professional relationships and with families of children with rare diseases is essential to provide the best support and care possible. Empathy not only strengthens the connection between healthcare professionals, educators and families, but it also helps create an environment of mutual understanding and trust. Firstly, listening carefully is an essential part of empathy. Health professionals and educators must be willing to listen to families' concerns, questions and experiences, monitoring their anxieties and challenges.
8
-
Wasana Fernando
Research Assistant | Mental Health Ambassador
1. Active Listening: Pay attention and encourage the patient to share. 2. Nonverbal Cues: Use body language and facial expressions to show warmth. 3. Reflective Responses: Repeat what the patient says to show understanding. 4. Avoid Judgment: Create a nonjudgmental and safe space for patients. 5. Validation: Acknowledge and validate the patient's emotions. 6. Empathetic Statements: Use phrases to express empathy. 7. Avoid Interrupting: Let the patient speak without interruptions. 8. Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware of cultural differences in emotions. 9. Personalization: Tailor your approach to each patient's unique needs. 10. Follow-up: Show ongoing support and concern for their well-being.
4
A third way to demonstrate empathy is to validate and normalize your clients' experiences. Validation means recognizing and accepting your clients' feelings and thoughts as legitimate and understandable. Normalization means reassuring your clients that their reactions and responses are common and expected in their situation. You can validate and normalize your clients' experiences by using phrases such as "I hear you", "That makes sense", "You are not alone", and "Many people feel the same way". You can also share relevant examples or stories from your own or others' experiences, if appropriate.
-
Dr. Jessica D.
Research Scholar + Forever Student +Nurse + Advocate + Educator + Antiracist + Ally + Science Nerd + Believer in brave conversations
The human spirit often seeks nothing more than recognition and validation. Transitioning from empathy to compassion means not only understanding the emotions of others but also taking proactive steps to acknowledge and alleviate their suffering. While we strive for positive outcomes, not every situation can be improved. During such instances, the willingness to embrace discomfort, by 'sitting in the uncomfortable,' becomes vital. Patients look to healthcare providers not only for care, but also for reassurance that we “see them”. This means being an advocate for the patient, regardless of the clinical outcome.
5
-
Vick Tipnes
Healthcare Entrepreneur I Founder of The Rise Conference | Amazon Best Selling Author “Did You Sell Your Soul?”
Emphasize the importance of self-compassion and resilience. Provide guidance on techniques for managing stress, anxiety, or self-doubt.
3
A fourth way to show empathy is to empower your clients to make decisions that are best for them. Empowerment means giving your clients the information, resources, and support they need to take charge of their own healthcare. It also means respecting their choices, preferences, and values, and advocating for their rights and interests. You can empower your clients to make decisions by providing them with clear and accurate information, exploring their options and alternatives, encouraging them to ask questions and express their concerns, and supporting them in communicating with their healthcare providers.
-
Sarah Gordon
Executive Search Consultant at J. Bennett Recruiting I Retained Executive Search & Contingency Recruiting | Dedicated to Bridging the Gap Between Talent and Opportunity.
A simple way to empower patients to make decisions for themselves is to provide them with clear, understandable information about their health condition, treatment options, and potential risks and benefits. Encourage them to ask questions, express their concerns, and actively participate in the decision-making process. Ensure they have access to resources, such as pamphlets, websites, or support groups, that can help them gather information and make informed choices. Respect their autonomy and preferences, and involve them in developing a care plan that aligns with their goals and values. Additionally, offer support and reassurance throughout the decision-making process to boost their confidence in taking an active role in their healthcare.
2
-
Dr. Jessica D.
Research Scholar + Forever Student +Nurse + Advocate + Educator + Antiracist + Ally + Science Nerd + Believer in brave conversations
Integrating the concept of patient empowerment into healthcare practice aligns with the broader goal of providing compassionate care. Empowerment serves not only as a catalyst for action but also as a testament to respecting patient autonomy. It’s also important to note, that empathy and advocacy should not be conditional. Empowerment in this context implies acknowledging the patient's individuality, values, and choices, even when they diverge from the healthcare provider's personal beliefs or recommendations. The focus remains on providing unbiased information, resources, and support to allow the patient to make informed decisions. By doing so, we respect patient autonomy, advocacy, and compassionate care.
A fifth way to display empathy is to follow up and follow through with your clients. Follow up means checking in with your clients regularly to see how they are doing, how their treatment is progressing, and if they need any further assistance. Follow through means keeping your promises, delivering on your commitments, and updating your clients on any changes or developments. You can follow up and follow through with your clients by sending them messages, emails, or phone calls, scheduling appointments or reminders, providing feedback or referrals, and documenting your actions and outcomes.
A sixth way to demonstrate empathy is to practice self-care. Self-care means taking care of your own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, especially when you are dealing with stressful or challenging situations. Self-care can help you prevent or cope with burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma, which can affect your ability to empathize with your clients. You can practice self-care by setting boundaries, managing your time, seeking support, engaging in hobbies, and taking breaks.
-
Wendy Tietz
NLP Senior Product Owner for Oracle Health Corporation
Self-care is of utmost importance, yet it's frequently overlooked. The abundance of self-care recommendations online can be overwhelming. It's vital to assess what brings joy to the individual. By tailoring a unique self-care plan that the patient agrees to, we can make self-care more manageable. Over time, we can introduce new experiences to enrich their self-care routine.
1
-
Kate Cozart, MEd, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, BCACP 🚀
Child of God. Wife & Mom. PharmD. Author, Things I Wish I Knew.
Self-compassion is the best self-care. In a 2022 study looking at the prevalence of compassion fatigue in helping professions, self-criticism was found to be the greatest predictor of compassion fatigue. Self-compassion allows us to keep going and provide the best compassionate care for our patients.
-
Shannon Weber, MSW (she/her)
Social Impact | Public Health Strategy | Corporate Philanthropy | Coalition Builder | Author | TEDx Speaker
In my experience, staying curious is core to showing up as an empathetic person. For those of us with unearned privileges, we are blind to what we are unable to see. Knowing this, I can stay curious to what I am unable to see. I can ask questions, seek clarifications, wonder if there is another way to look at things. I can make so much space for another’s world view and experience that may well include values and preferences wildly different from my own.
5
-
Wai Hou NG, RN
Admin & Project Manager at Academy For Silent Mentor
I personally find "Silent Mentor" (SM) Programmes to be effective and conducive in the instillation of empathy as SM's are voluntary body donors, who have donated their bodies (after their demise) to allow medical students and/or existing medical specialists to practise (advanced) medical procedures on them, or even to allow for advanced medical research(es) to be conducted on their bodies. Prior to any use on the SM's, relevant learners are required to understand and learn about the life these Mentors had lived, and have the sense of gratitude and respect towards the respective Mentors.
2