There are many definitions when it comes to explaining what empathy means. According to the Collins Dictionary, empathy is ‘the ability to share another person’s feelings and emotions as if they were your own’, while it has also been described as ‘the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel, see things from their point of view, and imagine yourself in their place.
Essentially, it is putting yourself in someone else’s position and feeling what they are feeling’. Basically, trying to put yourself in another person’s shoes. A person-centred approach for the unrestricted acceptance and empathy of the patient are the fundamental values for healthcare professionals, as it facilitates the development of a therapeutic relationship with the healthcare user. Empathetic communication between nurse and patient is recognised as an influential factor in improving patients’ care as well as improving patients’ independence and satisfaction.
It is suggested that nurses are expected to have humanistic and unique behaviours with the patients, such as friendly behaviour, maintaining patients’ dignity, considering the patients’ beliefs and culture, and creating a healthy therapeutic environment. Empathy helps build a trusting connection with patients by focusing on their point of view. Nurses are often considered as the reassuring presence that makes medical treatment more bearable to patients.
It is interesting to note that, in the past, empathy was considered something a person is born with, a trait that could not be taught, but research now shows that this vital human competency is changeable and can be taught to healthcare providers. Modern nursing colleges nowadays incorporate this fundamental skill in forming future nurses as it is considered an essential part of modern therapeutic nursing care, motivating them to respond with compassion.
Aptly, it is stated that nurses’ ability to understand and sometimes share the feelings of those under their care can elevate him or her from an adequate caregiver to an outstanding one. Truthfully, grasping a patient’s situation means connecting with patients and their loved ones in a meaningful way and providing higher quality, more compassionate care because of this. However, it is also suggested that compassion fatigue is a reality and can lead to a serious occupational hazard for nurses, with a majority of those in the field reporting experiencing at least some degree of it in their lives. The challenge that empathetic nurses face is to remain compassionate and supportive of others without becoming overly involved and ‘taking on another’s pain’. There are many barriers to empathy in healthcare, such as time pressure, stress, burnout, bias, and emotional exhaustion.
Nonetheless, staff stress, turnover and intentions to quit had reached alarming levels among nurses and midwives. Long hours and staff shortages have often been reported as major stressors for our nurses. Kindness goes both ways – we expect our nurses to provide empathetic care, but empathy and compassion should be considered for them, too.
References:
Babaii A, Mohammadi E, Sadooghiasl A. The meaning of the empathetic nurse–patient communication: A qualitative study. Journal of Patient Experience. 2021 Nov;8:23743735211056432.
Colling Dictionary. Definition ‘Empathy’. Available from: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/empathyCherry K. What Is Empathy? Feb 2023. Available from: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-empathy-2795562
Moudatsou M, Stavropoulou A, Philalithis A, Koukouli S. The role of empathy in health and social
care professionals. InHealthcare 2020 Jan 30 (Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 26). MDPI.
Norwich University. Importance of Empathy in Nursing: 5 Patient Care Tips. Available from: https://online.norwich.edu/importance-empathy-nursing-5-patient-care-tips
Therapy G. The cost of caring: 10 ways to prevent compassion fatigue. Available from: https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/the-cost-of-caring-10-ways-to-prevent-compassion-fatigue-0209167
When empathy turns harmful. Available from: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/when-empathy-turns-harmful
Georgina Galea, a Nurse Unit Manager for 15 years in a JCIA-accredited hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with vast experience managing healthcare facilities with excellent judgement, patient-centred care, decision making and active listening skills. She believes in leading by example to inspire others.
