Significance of Empathy
Empathy is defined as the ability to recognize and understand the feelings and emotions of others, significantly impacting social interactions. In healthcare, it encompasses a physician's capacity to appreciate a patient's perspective, enhancing the doctor-patient relationship and potentially minimizing litigation risks. Furthermore, empathy represents one of the five dimensions of service quality, highlighting its importance for healthcare workers in addressing and understanding patient needs effectively.
Synonyms: Compassion, Understanding, Sympathy, Sensitivity, Awareness, Insight, Kindness, Consideration, Fellow feeling
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
The concept of Empathy in scientific sources
Empathy is the physician's ability to understand a patient's perspective, enhancing the doctor-patient relationship, which can lead to better care and potentially decrease the likelihood of legal issues.
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) This is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, and oxytocin may play a role in this process.[1] (2) This is one of the five dimensions of service quality, which emphasizes healthcare workers paying special attention to patients and understanding their needs.[2] (3) The ability to recognize and understand the feelings and emotions of others, which plays a crucial role in social interactions.[3]